BX  8956  .P7  1841 
Presbyterian  Churcn  m 

The^Form  of  government,  the 
discipline,  and  the 


THE, 


FORM  OF  GOVERNMENT, 


DISCIPLINE. 


DIRECTORY  FOR  WORSfflP, 

OF   THE 

PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH 


THE  UNITED  STATES  OF  AMERICA. 


PHILADELPHIA: 
PRESBYTERIAN  BOARD  OF  PUBLICATION. 

JAMES    RUSSELL,    PCBLI8HINO   AGENT. 

184L 


^^>c>:i.^^^^i^^^.^ 


THE 

FORM   OF   GOVERNMENT 

AND 

FORMS  OF  PROCESS 


PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  THE  UNITED  STATES  OF 
AMERICA ; 

AS  AMENDED  AND  RATIFIED  BY  THE  GENERAL  ASSEMBLY, 

In  May,  1S21. 


BOOK  L 

OF     GOVERN  JIENT 


^CHAPTER   I. 

PRELIMINARY     PRINCIPLES.* 

The  Presbyterian  Church  in  the  United 
States  of  America,  in  presenting  to  the  Christian 
pubhc  the  system  of  union,  and  the  form  of 
government  and  disciphne  which  they  have 
adopted,  have  thought  proper  to  state,  by  way 
of  introduction,  a  few  of  the  general  principles 
by  which  they  have  been  governed  in  the 

*  Note. — This  introductory  chapter,  with  the  exception 
of  the  first  sentence,  was  first  drawn  up  by  the  Synod  of 
New  York  and  Philadelphia,  and  prefixed  to  the  Form 
of  Government,  &c.  as  published  by  that  body  in  1788 
In  that  year,  after  arranging  the  plan  on  which  the  Pres- 
byterian  Church  is  now  governed,  the  Synod  was  divided 
into  four  Synods,  and  gave  place  to  the  General  Assem- 
bly, which  met  for  the  first  time  in  1789. 

34*  401 


402  FORM    OF    GOVERNMENT. 

formation  of  the  plan.  This,  it  is  hoped,  will, 
in  some  measure,  prevent  those  rash  miscon- 
structions, and  uncandid  reflections,  which 
usually  proceed  from  an  imperfect  view  of  any 
subject ;  as  well  as  make  the  several  parts  of 
the  system  plain,  and  the  whole  perspicuous 
and  fully  understood. 

They  are  unanimously  of  opinion : 

I.  That  "God  alone  is  Lord  of  the  con- 
"  science ;  and  hath  left  it  free  from  the  doc- 
"  trine  and  commandments  of  men,  which  are 
"  in  any  thing  contrary  to  his  word,  or  beside 
"  it  in  matters  of  faith  or  worship  :"  Therefore 
they  consider  the  rights  of  private  judgment,  in 
all  matters  that  respect  religion,  as  universal 
and  unalienable  :  they  do  not  even  wish  to  see 
any  religious  constitution  aided  by  the  civil 
power,  further  than  may  be  necessary  for  pro  - 
tection  and  security,  and,  at  th^  same  time,  be 
equal  and  common  to  all  others. 

II.  That,  in  perfect  consistency  with  the 
above  principle  of  common  right,  every  Chris- 
tian church,  or  union  or  association  of  particu- 
lar churches,  is  entitled  to  declare  the  terms  of 
admission  into  its  communion,  and  the  quali- 
fications of  its  ministers  and  members,  as  well 
as  the  whole  system  of  its  internal  government 
which  Christ  hath  appointed :  that,  in  the  ex- 
ercise of  this  right,  they  may,  notwithstanding, 
err,  in  making  the  terms  of  communion  either 
too  lax  or  too  narrow  ;  yet,  even  in  this  case, 
they  do  not  infringe  upon  the  liberty,  or  the 
rights  of  others,  but  only  make  an  improper 
use  of  their  own. 


FORM    OP    GOVERNMENT.  463 

III.  That  our  blessed  Saviour,  for  the  edifi- 
cation of  the  visible  Church,  which  is  his  body, 
hath  appointed  officers,  not  only  to  preach  the 
gospel  and  administer  the  sacraments ;  but 
also  to  exercise  discipline,  for  the  preservation 
both  of  truth  and  duty ;  and,  that  it  is  incum- 
bent upon  these  officers,  and  upon  the  whole 
church,  in  whose  name  they  act,  to  censure  or 
cast  out  the  erroneous  and  scandalous ;  ob- 
serving, in  all  cases,  the  rules  contained  in  the 
word  of  God. 

IV.  That  truth  is  in  order  to  goodness  ;  and 
the  great  touchstone  of  truth,  its  tendency  to 
promote  hoHness ;  according  to  our  Saviour's 
rule,  "by  their  fruits  ye  shall  know  them." 
And  that  no  opinion  can  be  either  more  perni- 
cious or  more  absurd,  than  that  which  brings 
truth  and  falsehood  upon  a  level,  and  repre- 
sents it  as  of  no  consequence  what  a  man's 
opinions  are.  On  the  contrary,  they  are  per- 
suaded that  there  is  an  inseparable  connexion 
between  faith  and  practice,  truth  and  duty. 
Otherwise  it  would  be  of  no  consequence  either 
to  discover  truth,  or  to  embrace  it. 

V.  That  while  under  the  conviction  of  the 
above  principle,  they  think  it  necessary  to 
make  effectual  provision,  that  all  who  are  ad- 
mitted as  teachers,  be  sound  in  the  faith;  they 
also  believe  that  there  are  truths  and  forms, 
with  respect  to  which  men  of  good  characters 
and  principles  may  differ.  And  in  all  these 
they  think  it  the  duty,  both  of  private  Christians 
and  societies,  to  exercise  mutual  forbearance 
towards  each  other 


404  FORM    OP    GOVERNMENT. 

VI.  That  though  the  character,  qualifica- 
tions, and  authority  of  church  officers,  are  laid 
down  in  the  holy  Scriptures,  as  well  as  the 
proper  method  of  their  investiture  and  institu- 
tion ;  yet  the  election  of  the  persons  to  the 
exercise  of  this  authority,  in  any  particular 
society,  is  in  that  society. 

VII.  That  all  church  power,  whether  exer- 
cised by  the  body  in  general,  or  in  the  way  of 
representation  by  delegated  authority,  is  only 
ministerial  and  declarative ;  That  is  to  say^ 
that  the  Holy  Scriptures  are  the  only  rule  of 
faitli  and  manners  ;  that  no  church  judicatory 
ought  to  pretend  to  make  laws,  to  bind  the 
conscience  in  virtue  of  their  own  authority; 
and  that  all  their  decisions  should  be  founded 
upon  the  revealed  will  of  God.  Now  though 
it  will  easily  be  admitted,  that  all  synods  and 
councils  may  err,  through  the  frailty  insepara- 
ble from  humanity;  yet  there  is  much  greater 
danger  from  the  usurped  claim  of  making  laws, 
than  from  the  right  of  judging  upon  laws  al- 
ready made,  and  common  to  all  who  profess 
the  gospel :  although  this  right,  as  necessity 
requires  in  the  present  state,  be  lodged  with 
fallible  men. 

VIII.  Lastly.  That,  if  the  preceding  scrip- 
tural and  rational  principles  be  steadfastly 
adhered  to,  the  vigour  and  strictness  of  its 
discipline  will  contribute  to  the  glory  and 
happiness  of  any  church.  Since  ecclesiastical 
discipline  must  be  purely  moral  or  spiritual  in 
its  object,  and  not  attended  with  any  civil 
effects,  it  can  derive  no  force  whatever,  but 


FORM    OF    GOVERNMENT.  405 

from  its  own  justice,  the  approbation  of  an  im- 
partial public,  and  the  countenance  and  blessing 
of  the  great  Head  of  the  church  universal. 


CHAPTER  H. 

OF    THE    CHURCH. 

I.  Jesus  Christ,  who  is  now  exalted  far 
above  all  principality  and  power,  (1)  hath 
erected,  in  this  world,  a  kingdom,  which  is  his 
church.  (2) 

n.  The  universal  church  consists  of  all  those 
persons,  in  every  nation,  together  with  their 
children,  who  make  profession  of  the  holy 
religion  of  Christ,  and  of  submission  to  his 
laws.  (3) 

(1)1.  Eph.  i.  20,  21.— When  he  raised  him  from  the 
dead,  and  set  him  at  his  own  right  hand  in  the  heavenly 
places,  far  above  all  principality,  and  power,  and  might, 
and  dominion,  and  every  name  that  is  named,  not  only  in 
this  world,  but  also  in  that  which  is  to  come.  Ps.  Ixviii. 
18.  Thou  hast  ascended  on  high,  thou  hast  led  captivity 
captive:  thou  hast  received  gifts  for  men;  yea, /or  the 
rebellious  also,  that  the  Lord  God  might  dwell  among 
them. 

(2)  Ps.  ii.  6.  Yet  have  I  set  my  king  upon  my  holy 
hill  of  Zion.  Dan.  vii.  14, — There  was  given  him  do- 
minion, and  glory,  and  a  kingdom,  that  all  people,  nations, 
and  languages,  should  serve  him :  his  dominion  is  an 
everlasting  dominion,  which  shall  not  pass  away,  and 
his  kingdom  that  which  shall  not  be  destroyed.  Eph. 
i.  22,  23.  And  hath  put  all  things  under  his  feet,  and 
gave  him  to  be  the  head  over  all  things  to  the  church, 
which  is  his  body,  the  fulness  of  him  that  filleth  all 
in  all. 

(3)  II.  Rev.  V.  9. — And  hast  redeemed  us  to  God  by 


406  FORM    OP    GOVERNMENT. 

III.  As  this  immense  multitude  cannot  meet 
together  in  one  place,  to  hold  communion,  or 
to  worship  God,  it  is  reasonable,  and  warrant- 
ed by  Scripture  example,  that  they  should  be 
divided  into  many  particular  churches.  (1) 

IV.  A  particular  church  consists  of  a  num- 
ber of  professing  Christians,  with  their  off- 
spring, voluntarily  associated  together,  for 
divine  worship  and  godly  living,  agreeably  to 
the  Holy  Scriptures;  (2)  and  submitting  to  a 
certain  form  of  government.  (3) 

thy  blood,  out  of  every  kindred,  and  tongue,  and  people, 
and  nation.  Acts  ii.  39.  For  the  promise  is  unto  you, 
and  to  your  children,  and  to  all  that  are  afar  off,  even  as 
many  as  the  Lord  our  God  shall  call.  1  Cor.  i.  2,  com- 
pared with  2  Cor.  ix.  13. 

(1)  III.  Gal.  i.  21,  22.  Afterwards  I  came  into  the 
regions  of  Syria  and  Cilicia:  and  was  unknown  by  face 
unto  the  churches  of  Judea  which  were  in  Christ.  Rev. 
i.  4,  20.  John  to  the  seven  churches  which  are  in  Asia : 
Grace  he  unto  you,  and  peace,  from  him  which  is,  and 
which  was,  and  which  is  to  come :  and  from  the  seven 
spirits  which  are  before  his  throne. — The  mystery  of  the 
seven  stars  which  thou  sawest  in  my  right  hand,  and  the 
seven  golden  candlesticks.  The  seven  stars  are  the 
angels  of  the  seven  churches ;  and  the  seven  candlesticks 
which  thou  sawest  are  the  seven  churches.  See  also 
Rev.  ii.  1. 

(2)  IV.  Acts  ii.  41,  47.  Then  they  that  gladly  re- 
ceived his  word  were  baptized  ;  and  the  same  day  there 
were  added  unto  them  about  three  thousand  souls. — Prais- 
ing God,  and  having  favour  with  all  the  people.  And 
the  Lord  added  to  the  church  daily  such  as  should  be 
saved.  1  Cor.  vii.  14.  For  the  unbelieving  husband  is 
sanctified  by  the  wife,  and  the  unbelieving  wife  is  sanc- 
tified by  the  husband ;  else  were  your  children  unclean; 
but  now  are  they  holy.  Acts  ii.  39.  Mark  x.  14,  com- 
pared with  Matt.  xix.  13,  14,  and  Luke  xviii.  15,  16. 

(3)  Heb.  viii.  5.     Who  serve  unto  the  example  and 


FORM    OF    GOVERNMENT.  407 

CHAPTER  III. 

OF    THE    OFFICERS    OF    THE    CHURCH. 

I.  Our  blessed  Lord  at  first  collected  his 
church  out  of  different  nations,  (1)  and  formed 
it  into  one  body,  (2)  by  the  mission  of  men 
endued  with  miraculous  gifts,  which  have  long 
since  ceased.  (3) 

II.  The  ordinary  and  perpetual  officers  in 
the  church  are,  Bishops,  or  Pastors ;  (4)  the 


shadow  of  heavenly  things,  as  Moses  was  admonished 
of  God  when  he  was  about  to  make  the  tabernacle ;  for, 
See  (saith  he)  that  thou  make  all  things  according-  to  the 
pattern  showed  to  thee  in  the  mount.  Gal.  vi.  16.  And 
as  many  as  walk  according  to  this  rule,  peace  be  on  them, 
and  mercy,  and  upon  the  Israel  of  God. 

(1)  I.  Ps.  ii.  8,  Ask  of  me,  and  I  shall  give  thee  the 
heathen /or  thine  inheritance,  and  the  uttermost  parts  of 
the  earth  for  thy  possession.  Rev.  vii.  9.  After  this,  I 
beheld,  and  lo,  a  great  multitude,  which  no  man  could 
number,  of  all  nations,  and  kindreds,  and  people,  and 
tongues,  stood  before  the  throne,  and  before  the  Lamb, 
clothed  with  white  robes,  and  palms  in  their  hands. 

(2)  1  Cor.  X.  17.  For  we,  being  many,  are  one  bread, 
and  one  body  :  for  we  are  all  partakers  of  that  one  bread. 
See  also  Eph.  iv.  16.     Col.  ii.  19. 

(3)  Matt.  X.  1,  8.  And  when  he  had  called  unto  him 
his  twelve  disciples,  he  gave  them  power  against  unclean 
spirits,  to  cast  them  out,  and  to  heal  all  manner  of  sick- 
ness, and  all  manner  of  disease,  &c. 

(4)  IT.  1  Tim.  iii.  1. — If  a  man  desire  the  office  of  a 
bishop,  he  desireth  a  good  work.  Eph.  iv.  11,  12.  And 
he  gave  some,  apostles ;  and  some,  prophets ;  and  some, 
evangelists;  and  some,  pastors  and  teachers;  for  the 
perfecting  of  the  saints,  for  the  work  of  the  ministry,  for 

ne  edifying  of  the  body  of  Christ. 


408  FORM    OF    GOVERNMENT. 

representatives  of  the   people,  usually  styled 
Riding  Elders  {I)  and  Deacons.  (2) 


CHAPTER  IV. 

OF    BISHOPS    OR    PASTORS. 

The  pastoral  office  is  the  first  in  the  church, 
both  for  dignity  and  usefulness.  (3)  The  person 
who  Jills  this  office,  hath,  in  Scripture,  obtained 
different  names  expressive  of  his  various  duties. 
As  he  has  the  oversight  of  the  flock  of  Christ, 
he  is  termed  bishop.*  (4)  As  he  feeds  them 
with  spiritual  food,  he  is  termed  pastor.  (5)  As 
he  serves  Christ  in  his  church,  he  is  termed 
minister.  (6)     As  it  is  his  duty  to  be  grave  and 

(1)  1  Tim.  V.  17.  Let  the  elders  that  rule  well,  be 
counted  worthy  of  double  honour. 

(2)  Phil.  i.  1. — To  all  the  saints  in  Christ  Jesus  which 
are  at  Philippi,  with  the  bishops  and  deacons. 

(3)  I.  Rom.  xi.  13. 

(4)  Acts  XX.  28.  Take  heed  therefore,  unto  yourselves, 
and  to  all  the  flock  over  the  which  the  Holy  Ghost  hath 
made  you  overseers,  [bishops]  to  feed  the  church  of  God, 
which  he  hath  purchased  with  his  own  blood. 

(5)  Jer.  iii.  15.  And  I  will  give  you  pastors  according 
to  mine  heart,  which  shall  feed  you  with  knowledge  and 
understanding.     1  Pet.  v.  2,  3,  4. 

(6)  1  Cor.  iv.  1.  Let  a  man  so  account  of  us,  as  of 
the  ministers  of  Christ,  and  stewards  of  the  mysteries  of 

*  As  the  office  and  character  of  the  gospel  minister  is 
particularly  and  fully  described  in  the  Holy  Scriptures, 
under  the  title  of  bishop ;  and  as  this  term  is  peculiarly 
expressive  of  his  duty  as  an  overseer  of  the  flock,  it  ought 
not  to  be  rejected. 


FORM    OF    GOVERNMENT.  409 

prudent,  and  an  example  of  the  flock,  and  to 
govern  well  in  the  house  and  kingdom  of  Christ, 
he  is  termed  preshyter  or  elder.(l)  Ashe  is 
the  messenger  of  God,  he  is  termed  the  angel 
of  the  church.  (2)  As  he  is  sent  to  declare  the 
will  of  God  to  sinners,  and  to  beseech  them  to  be 
reconciled  to  God  through  Christ,  he  is  termed 
ambassador.  (3)  And,  as  he  dispenses  the 
manifold  grace  of  God,  and  the  ordinances 
instituted  by  Christ,  he  is  termed  steward  of 
the  mysteries  of  God.  (4) 


CHAPTER  V. 

OF    RULING    ELDERS. 

Ruling  elders  are  properly  the  representa- 

God.     2  Cor.  iii.  6.     Who  also  hath  rnade  us  able  minis- 
ters of  the  New  Testament. 

(1)  1  Pet.  V.  1.  The  elders  which  are  among  you  I 
exhort,  who  am  also  an  elder,  and  a  witness  of  the  suffer- 
ings of  Christ,  and  also  a  partaker  of  the  glory  that 
shall  be  revealed.  See  also  Tit.  i.  5.  1  Tim.  v, 
1,  17,  19. 

(2)  Rev.  ii.  1.  Unto  the  angel  of  the  church  of 
Ephesus  write.  Rev.  i.  20. — The  seven  stars  are  the  an- 
gels of  the  seven  churches.  See  also  Rev.  iii.  1,  7. 
Mai.  ii.  7. 

(3)  2  Cor.  V.  20.  Now  then  we  are  ambassadors  for 
Christ,  as  though  God  did  beseech  you  by  us;  we  pray 
t/ow,  in  Christ's  stead,  be  ye  reconciled  to  God.  Eph. 
vi.  20. 

(4)  Luke  xii.  42. — Who  then  is  that  faithful  and  wise 
steward,  whom  his  lord  shall  make  ruler  over  his  house- 
hold to  give  them  their  portion  of  meat  in  due  season  ? 
1  Cor.  iv.  1,  2. — Moreover,  it  is  reauired  in  stewards  that 
a  man  be  found  faithful. 

35 


410  FORM    OP    GOVERNMENT. 

tives  of  the  people,  chosen  by  them  for  the  pur- 
pose of  exercismg  government  and  discipline, 
in  conjunction  with  pastors  or  ministers.  (1) 
This  office  has  been  understood,  by  a  great  part 
of  the  Protestant  Reformed  Churches,  to  be 
designated  in  the  holy  Scriptures,  by  the  title 
of  governments ;  and  of  those  who  rule  well, 
but  do  not  labour  in  the  word  and  doc 
trine.  (2) 

CHAPTER  VI. 

OF    D^EACONS. 

The  Scriptures  clearly  point  out  deacons 
as  distinct  officers  in  the  church,  (3)  whose 
business  it  is  to  take  care  of  the  poor,  and  to 
distribute  among  them  the  collections  which 
may  be  raised  for  their  use.  (4)  To  them 
also    may   be    properly   committed    the   ma- 

(1)  1  TLm.  V.  17.  Let  the  elders  that  rule  well  be 
counted  worthy  of  double  honour,  especially  they  who 
labour  in  the  word  and  doctrine.  Rom.  xii.  7,  8.  Acts 
xv.  25. 

(2)  1  Cor.  xii.  28.  And  God  hath  set  some  in  the 
church,  first,  apostles ;  secondarily,  prophets,  thirdly, 
teachers;  after  that  miracles;  then  gifts  of  healings, 
helps,  governments,  diversities  of  tongues.  See  figure 
(1)  above. 

(3)  Phil.  i.  1.     1  Tim.  iii.  8  to  15. 

(4)  Acts  vi.  1,  2.  And  in  those  days,  when  the  num- 
ber of  the  disciples  was  multiplied,  there  arose  a  murmur- 
ing of  the  Grecians  against  the  Hebrews,  because  theii 
widows  were  neglected  in  the  daily  ministration.  Then 
the  twelve  called  the  multitude  of  the  disciples  unfo  them, 
and  said,  It  is  not  reason  that  we  should  leave  tlve  word 
of  God  and  serve  tables.. 


FORM    OF    GOVERNMENT.  411 

nagement    of    the    temporal    affairs    of    the 
church.  (1) 


CHAPTER  VII. 

OF    ORDINANCES    IN    A    PARTICULAR    CHURCH. 

The  ordinances  estabhshed  by  Christ,  the 
head,  in  a  particular  church,  which  is  regularly 
constituted  with  its  proper  officers,  (2)  are 
prayer,  (3)  singing  praises,  (4)  reading,  (5)  ex- 
pounding and  preaching  the  word  of  God;  (6) 
administering   baptism   and   th-e   Lord's   sup- 

(1)  Acts  vi.  3,  5,  6.  Wherefore,  brethren,  look  ye  out 
among  you  seven  men  of  honest  report,  full  of  the  Holy 
Ghost  and  wisdom,  whom  we  may  appoint  over  this 
business. — And  the  saying  pleased  the  whole  multitude  : 
and  they  chose  Stephen,  a  man  full  of  faith  and  of  the 
Holy  Ghost,  and  Philip,  -ami  Prochorus,  and  Nicanor, 
and  Timon,  and  Parmenas,  and  Nicolas  a  proselyte  of 
Antioch  ;  whom  they  set  before  the  apostles :  and  when 
they  had  prayed,  they  laid  their  hands  on  them. 

(2)  1  Cor.  xiv.  26,  33,  40. — Let  all  things  be  done 
unto  edifying. — For  God  is  not  the  author  of  confusion, 
but  of  peace,  as  dn  all  churches  of  the  saints. — Let  all 
things  be  done  decently,  and  in  order. 

(3)  Acts  vi.  4.  But  we  will  give  ourselves  continually 
to  prayer,  and  to  the  ministry  of  the  word.     1  Tim.  ii.  L 

(4)  Col.  iii.  16. — Teaching  and  admonishing  one  an- 
other in  psalms,  and  hymns,  and  spiritual  songs,  singing 
with  grace  in  your  hearts  to  the  Lord.  Psal.  ix.  11. 
Eph.  V.  19.     Also  Col.  iv.  16. 

(5)  Acts  XV.  21.     Luke  iv.  16,  17. 

(6)  Tit.  i.  9.  Holding  fast  the  faithful  word  as  he 
hath  been  taught,  that  he  may  be  able  by  sound  doctrine 
both  to  exhort  and  to  convince  the  gainsayers.  Acts  x.  42. 
— He  commanded  us  to  preach  unto  the  people.  See  also 
Acts  xxviii.  23,  Luke  xxiv.  47.  2  Tim.  iv.  2.  Acts 
ix.  20. 


412  FORM    OF    GOVERNMENT. 

per;  (1)  public  solemn  fasting  and  thanks- 
giving, (2)  catechising,  (3)  making  collections 
for  the   poor,  and  other  pious  purposes  ;  (4) 


(1)  Matt,  xxviii.  19,  20.  Go  ye,  therefore,  and  teach 
all  nations,  baptizing  them  in  the  name  of  the  Father,  and 
of  the  Son,  and  of  the  Holy  Ghost,  &c.  And  Mark  xvi. 
15,  16.  1  Cor.  xi.  23,  24,  25,  26.  For  I  have  received 
of  the  Lord,  that  which  also  I  delivered  unto  you,  that 
the  Lord  Jesus,  the  same  night  in  which  he  was  betrayed, 
took  bread  :  and  when  he  had  given  thanks,  he  brake  e7, 
and  said.  Take,  eat;  this  is  my  body,  which  is  broken 
for  yoa  :  this  do  in  remembrance  of  me.  After  the  same 
manner  also,  he  took  the  cup,  when  he  had  supped,  saying. 
This  cup  is  the  New  Testament  in  my  blood  :  this  do  ye, 
as  oft  as  ye  drink  it,  in  remembrance  of  me.  For  as  often 
as  ye  eat  this  bread,  and  drink  this  cup,  ye  do  show  the 
Lord's  death  till  he  come.     Compared  with  1  Cor.  x.  16. 

(2)  Luke  V.  35.  But  the  days  will  come,  when  the 
bridegroom  shall  be  taken  away  from  them,  and  then 
shall  they  fast  in  those  days.  Ps.  1.  14.  Offer  unto 
God  thanksgiving:  and  pay  thy  vows  unto  the  Most 
High.  Phil.  iv.  6. — In  every  thing,  by  prayer  and  sup- 
plication, with  thanksgiving,  let  your  requests  be  made 
known  unto  God.     See  1  Tim.  ii.  1.     Ps.  xcv.  2. 

(3)  Heb.  V.  12.  For  when  for  the  time  ye  ought  to 
be  teachers,  ye  have  need  that  one  teach  you  again,  which 
be  the  first  principles  of  the  oracles  of  God ;  and  are  be- 
come such  as  have  need  of  milk,  and  not  of  strong  meat. 

(4)  1  Cor.  xvi.  1,  2,  3,  4.  Now  concerning  the  col- 
lection for  the  saints,  as  I  have  given  order  to  the  churches 
of  Galatia,  even  so  do  ye.  Upon  the  first  dai/  of  the 
week  let  every  one  of  you  lay  by  him  in  store,  as  God 
hath  prospered  him,  that  there  be  no  gatherings  when  I 
come.  And  when  I  come,  whomsoever  ye  shall  approve 
by  your  letters,  them  will  I  send  to  bring  your  liberality 
unto  Jerusalem.  And  if  it  be  meet  that  I  go  also,  they 
shall  go  with  me.  Gal.  ii.  10.  Only  they  would  that  we 
should  remember  the  poor;  the  same  which  I  also  was 
forward  to  do 


FORM    OF    GOVERNMENT.  413 

exercising    discipline ;  (1)     and    blessing    the 
people.  (2) 


CHAPTER  VIII. 

OF    THURCir    GOVERNMENT,  AND    THE    SEVERAL 
KINDS    OP    JUDICATORIES. 

I.  It  is  absolutely  necessary  that  the  govern- 
ment of  the  church  be  exercised  under  some 
certain  and  definite  form.  (3)  And  we  hold  it 
to  be  expedient,  and  agreeable  to  Scripture  and 
the  practice  of  the  primitive  Christians,  that  the 
church  be  governed  by  congregational,  presby- 
terial,  and  synodical  assemblies.     In  full  con- 

(1)  Heb.  xiii.  17.  Obey  them  tliat  have  the  rule 
over  you,  and  submit  yourselves  :  for  they  watch  for  your 
souls,  as  they  that  must  give  acccunt;  that  they  may  do 
it  with  joy,  and  not  with  grief:  for  that  is  unprofitable 
for  you.  1  Thess.  v.  12,  13.  And  we  beseech  you, 
brethren,  to  know  them  which  labour  among  you,  and  are 
over  you  in  the  Lord,  and  admonish  you ;  and  to  esteem 
them  ver}'  highly  in  love  for  their  work's  sake,  .ind  be 
at  peace  among  yourselves. 

(2)  2  Cor.  xiii.  14.  The  grace  of  the  Lord  Jesus 
Christ,  and  the  love  of  God,  and  the  communion  of  the 
Holy  Ghost,  be  with  you  all.  Amen.  Eph.  i.  2.  Grace 
he  to  you,  and  peace  from  God  our  Father,  and  froin  the 
Lord  Jesus  Christ. 

(3)  I.  Ezek.  xliii.  11,  12. — Show  them  the  form  of 
the  house,  and  the  fashion  thereof,  and  the  goings-out 
thereof,  and  the  comings-in  thereof,  and  all  the  forms 
thereof,  and  all  the  ordinances  thereof,  and  all  the  forms 
thereof,  and  all  the  laws  thereof:  and  write  it  in  their 
sight,  that  they  may  keep  the  whole  form  thereof,  and  all 
the  ordinances  thereof,  and  do  them.  This  is  the  law 
of  the  house. 

35* 


414  FORM    OF    GOVERNMENT. 

sisteucy  with  this  beUef,  we  embrace;  p..  the 
spirit  of  charity,  those  Christians  who  diffei 
from  us,  in  opinion  or  in  practice,  on  these 
subjects.  (1) 

II.  These  assembhes  ought  not  to  possess 
any  civil  jurisdiction,  nor  to  inflict  any  civil 
penalties.  (2)  Their  power  is  wholly  moral  or 
spiritual,  and  that  only  ministerial  and  declara- 
tive. (3)  They  possess  the  right  of  requiring 
obedience  to  the  laws  of  Christ;  and  of  ex- 
cluding the  disobedient  and  disorderly  from  the 
privileges  of  the  church.  To  give  efficiency, 
however,  to  this  necessary  and  scriptural  au- 
thority, they  possess  the  powers  requisite  for 
obtaining  evidence  and  inflicting  censure. 
They  can  call  before  them  any  offender  against 
the  order  and  government  of  the  church  ;  they 
can  require  members  of  their  own  society  to 
appear  and  give  testimony  in  the  cause  ;  but 
the  highest  punishment  to  which  their  authority 
extends,  is  to  exclude  the  contumacious  and  im- 
penitent from  the  congregation  of  believers.  (4) 


(1)  Acts  XV.  5,  6.  But  there  rose  up  certain  of  the 
sect  of  the  Pharisees,  which  believed,  saying-.  That  it 
was  needful  to  circumcise  them,  and  to  command  ihtm 
to  keep  the  law  of  Moses.  And  the  apostles  and  elders 
came  together  for  to  consider  of  this  matter. 

(2)  11.  Luke  xii.  13,  14.  And  one  of  the  company 
said  unto  him.  Master,  speak  to  my  brother,  that  he 
divide  the  inneritance  with  me.  And  he  said  unto 
him,  Man,  who  made  me  a  judge  or  a  divider  over  you  } 
John  xviii.  36. — My  kingdom  is  not  of  this  WDrld. 

(3)  Acts  XV.  from  the  1st  to  the  32d  verse. 

(4)  Matt,  xviii.  15,  16,  17,  18,  19,  20.  Moreover,  if 
thy  brother  shall  trespass  against  thee,  go  and  tell  him 


FORM  OP    GOVERNMENT.  415 

CHAPTER  IX. 

OP    THE    CHURCH    SESSION. 

I.  The  Church  session  consists  of  the  pastor 
or  pastors,  and  ruUng  elders,  of  a  particular 
congregation.  (1^ 

II.  Of  this  judicatory,  two  elders,  if  there  be 
as  many  in  the  congregation,  with  the  pastor, 
shall  be  necessary  to  constitute  a  quorum. 

III.  The  pastor  of  the  congregation  shall 
always  be  the  moderator  of  the  session ;  except 
when,  for  prudential  reasons,  it  may  appear 
advisable  that  some  other  minister  should  be 
invited  to  preside ;  in  which  case  the  pastor 
may,  with  the  concurrence  of  the  session,  in- 
vite such  other  minister  as  they  may  see  meet, 


his  fault  between  thee  and  him  alone ;  if  he  shall  hear 
thee,  thou  hast  gained  thy  brother.  But  if  he  will  not 
hear  thee,  then  take  with  thee  one  or  two  more,  that  in  the 
mouth  of  two  or  three  witnesses  every  word  may  be  esta- 
blished. And  if  he  shall  neglect  to  hear  them,  tell  it 
unto  the  church :  but  if  he  neglect  to  hear  the  church, 
let  him  be  unto  thee  as  a  heathen  man  and  a  publican. 
Verily  1  say  unto  you.  Whatsoever  ye  shall  bind  on 
earth,  shall  be  bound  in  heaven  :  and  whatsoever  ye 
shall  loose  on  earth,  shall  be  loosed  in  heaven.  1  Cor. 
V.  4,  5.  In  the  name  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  when  ye 
are  gathered  together,  and  my  spirit,  with  the  power  of 
our  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  to  deliver  such  an  one  unto  Satan, 
for  the  destruction  of  the  flesh,  that  the  spirit  may  be 
saved  in  the  day  of  the  Lord  Jesus. 

(1)  L  1  Cor.  V.  4.  Li  the  name  of  our  Lord  Jesus 
Christ,  when  ye  are  gathered  together,  and  my  spirit, 
with  the  power  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ. 


416  FORM    OP    GOVERNMENT. 

belonging  to  the  same  presbytery,  to  preside  in 
that  case.  The  same  expedient  may  be  adopted 
in  case  of  the  sickness  or  absence  of  the  pastor. 

IV.  It  is  expedient,  at  every  meeting  of  the 
session,  more  especially  when  constituted  for 
judicial  business,  that  there  be  a  presiding 
minister.  When,  therefore,  a  church  is  with- 
out a  pastor,  the  moderator  of  the  session  shall 
be,  either  the  minister  appointed  for  that  pur- 
pose by  the  presbytery,  or  one  invited  by  the 
session  to  preside  on  a  particular  occasion.  But 
where  it  is  impracticable,  without  great  incon- 
venience, to  procure  the  attendance  of  such  a 
moderator,  the  session  may  proceed  without  it. 

V.  In  congregations  where  there  are  two  or 
more  pastors,  they  shall,  when  present,  alter- 
natel)^  preside  in  the  session. 

VI.  The  Church  session  is  charged  with 
maintaining  the  spiritual  government  of  the 
congregation  ;  (1)  for  which  purpose,  they  have 
po\ver  to  inquire  into  the  knowledge  and 
Christian  conduct  of  the  members  of  the 
church ;  (2)  to  call  before  them  offenders  and 
witnesses,  being  members  of  their  own  congre- 
gation, and  to  introduce  other  witnesses,  where 
it  may  be  necessary  to  bring  the  process  to 
issue,  and  when  they  can  be  procured  to  at- 
tend ;  to  receive  members  into  the  church ;  to 

(1)  VI.  Heb.  xiii.  17.  Obey  them  that  have  the  rule 
over  you,  and  submit  yourselves  :  for  they  watch  for  your 
souls,  as  they  that  must  give  account ;  that  they  may  do 
it  with  joy,  and  not  with  grief.  1  Thess.  v.  12,  13,  and 
1  Tim.  v.  17. 

(2)  Ezek.  xxxiv.  4. 


FORM    OF    GOVERNMENT.  417 

admonish,  to  rebuke,  to  suspend,  or  exclude 
from  the  sacraments,  those  who  are  found  to 
deserve  censure  ;(1)  to  concert  the  best  mea- 
sures for  promoting  the  spiritual  interests  of  the 
congregation ;  and  to  appoint  delegates  to  the 
higher  judicatories  of  the  church.  (2) 

VII.  The  pastor  has  power  to  convene  the 
session  when  he  may  judge  it  requisite ;  (3) 
and  he  shall  always  convene  them  when  re- 
quested to  do  so  by  any  two  of  the  elders. 
The  session  shall  also  convene  when  directed 
so  to  do  by  the  presbytery. 

VIII.  Every  session  shall  keep  a  fair  record 
of  its  proceedings ;  which  record  shall  be,  at 
least  once  in  every  year,  submitted  to  the  in- 
spection of  the  presbytery. 

IX.  It  is  important  that  every  church  session 
keep  a  fair  register  of  marriages ;  of  baptisms, 
with  the  times  of  the  birth  of  the  individuals 
baptized ;  of  persons  admitted  to  the  Lord's 
table,  and  of  the  deaths,  and  other  removals  of 
church  members. 


(1)  1  Thess.  V.  12,  13.  And  we  beseech  you,  breth- 
ren, to  know  them  which  labour  among  you,  and  are  over 
you  in  the  Lord,  and  admonish  you ;  and  to  esteem  them 
very  highly  in  love  for  their  work's  sake.  £nd  be  at 
peace  among  yourselves.  See  also  2  Thess.  iii.  6,  14, 
15.     1  Cor.  xi.  27  to  the  end. 

(2)  Acts  XV.  2,  G.  When  therefore  Paul  and  Barnabas 
had  no  small  dissension  and  disputation  with  them,  they 
determined  that  Paul  and  Barnabas,  and  certain  other  of 
them,  should  go  up  to  Jerusalem  unto  the  apostles  and 
elders,  about  tliis  question. — And  the  apostles  and  elders 
came  together  for  to  consider  of  this  matter. 

(3)  VII.  Acts  XX.  17. 


418  FORM    OF    GOVERNMENT. 

CHAPTER  X. 

OF    THE    PRESBYTERY. 

I.  The  Church  being  divided  into  many- 
separate  congregations,  these  need  mutual 
counsel  and  assistance,  in  order  to  preserve 
soundness  of  doctrine,  and  regularity  of  disci- 
pline, and  to  enter  into  common  measures  for 
promoting  knov/ledge  and  religion,  and  for  pre- 
venting infidelity,  error,  and  immorality.  (1) 
Hence  arise  the  importance  and  usefulness  of 
presbyterial  and  synodical  assemblies.  (2) 

n.  A  presbytery  consists  of  all  the  ministers, 
and  one  ruling  elder  from  each  congregation, 
within  a  certain  district. 

HI.  Every  congregation,  which  has  a  stated 


(1)  T.  The  church  of  Jerusalem  consisted  of  more  than 
one,  as  is  manifest  both  before  and  after  the  dispersion, 
from  Acts  vi.  1,  6.  Acts  ix.  31.  A.cts  xxi.  20.  Acts 
ii.  41,  46,  47,  and  iv.  4.  These  congregations  were 
under  one  presbyterial  government,  proved  from  Acts 
XV.  4.  Acts  xi.  22,  30.  Acts  xxi.  17,  18.  Acts  vi. 
That  the  church  of  Epiiesus  had  more  congregations  than 
one,  under  a  presbyterial  government,  appears  from  Acts 
xix.  18,  19,  20.  1  Cor.  xvi.  8,  9,  19,  compared  with 
Acts  xviii.  19,  24,  26.  Acts  xx.  17,  18,  25,  28,  30,  31, 
36,  37.     Rev.  ii.  1,  2,  3,  4,  5,  6. 

(2)  1  Tim.  iv.  14.  Neglect  not  the  gift  that  is  in  thee, 
which  was  given  thee  by  prophecy,  with  the  laying  on 
of  the  hands  of  the  presbytery.  Acts  xv.  2,  3,  4,  G,  22. 
— And  when  they  were  come  to  Jerusalem,  they  were 
received  of  the  church,  and  of  the  apostles  and  elders, 
and  they  declared  all  things  that  God  had  done  with  them. 
— And  the  apostles  and  elders  came  together  for  to  con- 
sider of  this  matter. 


FORM    OF    GOVERNMENT.  419 

pastor,  has  a  right  to  be  represented  by^  one 
elder ;  and  every  collegiate  church  by  two  or 
more  elders,  in  proportion  to  the  number  of  its 
pastors. 

IV.  Where  two  or  more  congregations  are 
miited  under  one  pastor,  all  such  congregations 
shall  have  but  one  elder  to  represent  them. 

V.  Every  vacant  congregation,  which  is 
regularly  organized,  shall  be  entitled  to  be 
represented  by  a  ruling  elder  in  presbytery, 

VI.  Every  elder  not  known  to  the  presby- 
tery, shall  produce  a  certificate  of  his  regular 
appointment  from  the  church  which  he  repre- 
sents. (I) 

VII.  Any  three  ministers,  and  as  man-y 
elders  as  may  be  present  belonging  to  the  pres- 
bytery, being  met  at  the  time  and  place  ap- 
pointed, shall  be  a  quorum  competent  to  pro- 
ceed to  business.  (2) 

VIII.  The  presbytery  has  power  to  receive 


(1)  VI.  Acts  XV.  1,  2,  3,  4,  5,  6.  1  Cor.  xiv.  26,  33, 
40. — Let  all  things  be  done  unto  edifying; — for  God  is 
not  the  author  o{ confusion,  but  of  peace,  as  in  all  churches 
of  the  saints. — Let  all  things  be  done  decently  and  in 
order. 

(2)  VII.  Acts  xiv.  26,  27.  And  thence  sailed  to  An-. 
tioch,  from  whence  tliey  had  been  recommended  to  tho 
grace  of  God  for  the  work  which  they  fulfilled.  And 
when  they  were  come,  and  had  gathered  the  church  to- 
gether, they  rehearsed  all  that  God  had  done  with  them, 
and  how  he  had  opened  the  door  of  faith  unto  the  Gen- 
tiles. Compared  with  Acts  xi.  18.  When  they  heard 
these  things,  they  held  their  peace,  and  glorified  God, 
saying.  Then  hath  God  also  to  the  Gentiles  granted  re->^ 
pentance  unto  life. 


420  FORM    OF    GOVERNMENT. 

and  issue  appeals  from  church  sessions  (1)  and 
references  brought  before  them  in  an  orderly 
manner;  (2)  to  examine  and  license  candidates 
for  the  holy  ministry  ;  (3)  to  ordain,  install,  re- 
move, and  judge  ministers;  (4)  to  examine  and 
approve  or  censure  the  records  of  church  ses- 
sions ;  to  resolve  questions  of  doctrine  or  disci- 
pline seriously  and  reasonably  proposed;  (5)  to 

(1)  VIII.  Acts  XV.  5,  6,  19,  20.  But  there  rose  up  cer- 
tain of  the  sect  of  the  Pharisees,  which  believed,  saying-, 
that  it  was  needful  to  circumcise  them,  and  to  command 
them  to  keep  the  law  of  Moses.  And  the  apostles  and 
elders  came  together  for  to  consider  of  this  matter. — 
Wherefore  my  sentence  is,  that  we  trouble  not  them 
which  from  among  the  Geniiles  are  turned  to  God  :  but 
that  we  write  unto  them,  that  they  abstain  from  pollu- 
tions of  idols,  and  from  fornication,  and  from  things 
strangled,  and  from  blood. 

(•3)  Acts  xviii.  24,  27.  And  a  certain  Jew  named 
Apollos,  born  at  Alexandria,  an  eloquent  man,  ami 
mighty  in  the  Scriptures,  came  to  Ephesus. — And  when 
he  was  disposed  to  pass  into  Achaia,  the  brethren  wrote, 
exhorting  the  disciples  to  receive  him.  Compared  with 
Acts  xix.  1,  2,  3,  4,  5,  6,  7. 

(3)  1  Tim.  iv.  14.  Neglect  not  the  gift  that  is  in  thee, 
which  was  given  thee  by  prophecy,  with  the  laying  on 
of  the  hands  of  the  presbytery.  Acts  xiii.  2,  3.  As  they 
ministered  to  the  Lord,  and  fasted,  the  Holy  Ghost  said, 
Separate  me  Barnabas  and  Saul,  for  the  work  whereunto 
i  have  called  them.  And  when  they  had  fasted  and 
prayed,  and  laid  their  hands  on  them,  they  sent  theru 
away. 

(4)  Acts  XV.  2S.  For  it  seemed  good  to  the  Holy 
<jhost,  and  to  us,  to  lay  upon  you  no  greater  burden  than 
these  necessary  things.     1  Cor.  v.  3. 

(5)  Acts  XV.  It).  Now,  therefore,  why  tempt  ye  God, 
to  put  a  yoke  upon  the  neck  of  the  disciples,  which  nei- 
ther our  fathers  nor  we  were  able  to  bear?  Compared 
with  Gal.  ii.  4.  5. 


FORM    OF    GOVERNMENT.  421 

condemn  erroneous  opinions  which  injure  the 
purity  or  peace  of  the  church ;  (1)  to  visit  par- 
ticular cliurches,  for  the  purpose  of  inquiring 
into  their  state,  and  redressing  the  evils  that 
may  have  arisen  in  them;  (2)  to  unite  or  divide 
congregations,  at  the  request  of  the  people, 
or  to  form  or  receive  new  congregations,  and 
in  general  to  order  whatever  pertains  to  the 
spiritual  welfare  of  the  churches  under  their 
care.  (3) 

IX.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  presbytery  to 
keep  a  full  and  fair  record  of  their  proceed - 

(1)  Acts  XV.  22,  23,  24.  Then  pleased  it  the  apostles 
and  elders,  with  the  Av1T&Tff"church,  to  send  chosen  men 
of  their  own  company  to  Antioch  with  Paul  and  Barna- 
bas; namely^  Judas  surnamed  Barsabas,  and  Silas,  chief 
men  among  the  brethren :  and  they  wrote  letters  by  them 
after  this  manner  :  The  apostles,  and  elders,  and  brethren, 
send  greeting  unto  the  brethren  which  are  of  the  Gentiles 
in  Antioch,  and  Syria,  and  Cilicia:  forasmuch  as  we 
have  heard  that  certain  which  went  out  from  us  have 
troubled  you  with  words,  subverting  your  souls,  saying. 
Ye  must  be  circumcised,  and  keep  the  law;  to  whom  we 
gave  no  such  commandment. 

(2)  Acts  XX.  17.  And  from  Miletus  he  sent  to  Ephe- 
sus,  and  called  the  elders  of  the  church.  Acts  vi.  2. 
Then  the  twelve  called  the  multitude  of  the  disciples 
mito  them,  and  said,  It  is  not  reason  that  we  should  leave 
the  word  of  God,  and  serve  tables.  Acts  xv.  30.  So 
w*hen  they  were  dismissed,  they  came  to  Antioch ;  and 
when  they  had  gathered  the  multitude  together,  they  de- 
livered the  epistle. 

(3)  Eph.  vi.  18.  Praying  always  with  all  prayer  and 
supplication  in  the  Spirit,  and  watching  thereunto  with 
all  perseverance  and  supplication  for  all  saints. — Phil, 
iv.  6.  Be  careful  for  nothing:  but  in  every  thing  by 
prayer  and  supplication,  with  thanksgiving,  let  your 
requests  be  made  known  unto  God. 

36 


422  FORM    OF    GOVERNMENT. 

mgs,  and  to  report  to  the  synod,  everj'  year, 
licensures,  ordinations,  the  receiving  or  dis- 
missing of  members,  the  removal  of  members 
by  death,  the  union  or  division  of  congrega- 
tions, or  the  formation  of  new  ones ;  and  in 
general,  ail  the  important  changes  which  may 
have  taken  place  within  their  bounds  in  the 
course  of  the  year. 

X.  The  presbytery  shall  meet  on  its  own 
adjournment;  and  when  any  emergency  shall 
require  a  meeting  sooner  than  the  time  to 
which  it  stands  adjourned,  the  moderator,  or, 
in  case  of  his  absence,  death,  or  inability  to 
act,  the  stated  clerk,  shajl,  with  the  concur- 
rence, or  at  the  requesT  of  tv^'o  ministers  and 
tv/o  elders,  the  elders  being  of  different  con- 
gregations, call  a  special  meeting.  For  this 
purpose  he  shall  send  a  circular  letter,  specify- 
ing the  particular  business  of  the  intended 
meeting,  to  every  minister  belonging  to  the 
presbytery,  and  to  the  session  of  every  vacant 
congregation,  in  due  time  previous  to  the 
meeting:  which  shall  not  be  less  than  ten 
days.  And  nothing  shall  be  transacted  at  such 
special  meeting  besides  the  particular  business 
for  which  the  judicatory  has  been  thus  con- 
vened. 

XI.  At  every  meeting  of  presbytery,  a  ser- 
mon shall  be  delivered,  if  convenient;  and 
every  particular  session  shall  be  opened  and 
closed  with  prayer. 

XII.  Ministers  in  good  standing  in  other 
presbyteries,  or  in  any  sister  churches,  who 
may  happen  to  be  present,  may  be  invited  to 


FORM    OF    GOVER^^MENT.  423 

sit  with  the  presbytery,  as  corresponding  mem- 
bers. Such  members  shall  be  entitled  to  de- 
liberate and  advise,  but  not  to  vote  in  any 
decisions  of  the  presbytery. 


CHAPTER  XI. 

OF    THE    SYNOD.* 

I.  As  a  presbytery  is  a  convention  of  the 
bishops  and  elders  within  a  certain  district : 
so  a  synod  is  a  convention  of  the  bishops  and 
elders  withhi  a  larger  district,  including  at  least 
three  presbyteries.  The  ratio  of  the  repre- 
sentation of  elders  in  the  synod  is  the  same  as 
in  the  presbytery. 

II.  Any  seven  ministers,  belonging  to  the 
synod,  who  shall  convene  at  the  time  and  place 
of  meeting,  with  as  many  elders  as  may  be 
present,  shall  be  a  quorum  to  transact  synodical 
business ;  provided  not  more  than  three  of  the 
said  ministers  belong  to  one  presbytery. 

III.  The  same  rule,  as  to  corresponding 
members,  which  was  laid  down  with  respect 
to  the  presbytery,  shall  apply  to  the  synod. 

IV.  The  synod  has  power  to  receive  and 
issue  all  appeals  regularly  brought  up  from 
the   presbyteries ;   to  decide  on  all  references 

*  As  the  proofs  already  adduced  in  favour  of  a  pres- 
byterial  assembly  in  the  government  of  the  church,  are 
equally  valid  in  support  of  a  synodical  assembly,  it  is 
unnecessary  to  repeat  the  scriptures  to  which  reference 
has  been  made  under  Chap.  X.,  or  to  add  any  other. 


424  FORM    OF    GOVERNMENT. 

made  to  them;  to  review  the  records  of  pres- 
byteries, and  approve  or  censure  them;  to 
redress  whatever  has  been  done  by  presbyte- 
ries contrary  to  order;  to  talvC  effectual  care 
that  presbyteries  observe  the  constitution  of  the 
church;  to  erect  new  presbyteries,  and  unite 
or  divide  those  which  were  before  erected ; 
generally  to  take  such  order  with  respect  to 
the  presbyteries,  sessions,  and  people  under 
their  care,  as  may  be  in  conformity  with  the 
word  of  God  and  the  estabhshed  rules,  and 
which  tend  to  promote  the  edification  of  the 
church ;  and,  finally,  to  propose  to  the  general 
assembly,  for  their  adoption,  such  measures  as 
may  be  of  common  advantage  to  the  whole 
church. 

V.  The  synod  shall  convene  at  least  once  in 
each  year ;  at  the  opening  of  which  a  sermon 
shall  be  delivered  by  the  moderator,  or,  in  case 
of  his  absence,  by  some  other  member ;  and 
every  particular  session  shall  be  opened  and 
closed  with  prayer. 

VI.  It  shall  be  the  duty  ot  the  synod  to  keep 
full  and  fair  records  of  its  proceedings,  to  sub- 
mit them  annually  to  the  inspection  of  the 
General  Assembly,  and  to  report  to  the  Assem- 
bly the  number  of  its  presbyteries,  and  of  the 
members  and  alterations  of  the  presbyteries. 


FORM    OP    GOVERNMENT.  425 

CHAPTER  XII. 

OF    THE    GENERAL    ASSEMBLY.* 

I.  The  General  Assembly  is  the  highest  ju- 
dicatory of  the  Presbyterian  Church.  It  shall 
represent,  in  one  body,  all  the  particular 
churches  of  this  denomination ;  and  shall  bear 
the  title  of  The  General  Assembly  of 
THE  Presbyterian  Church  in  the  United 
States  of  America. 

II.  The  General  Assembly  shall  consist  of 
an  equal  delegation  of  bishops  and  elders  from 
each  presbytery,  in  the  following  proportion  ; 
viz.  each  presbytery  consisting  of  not  more 
than  twenty-four  ministers,  shall  send  one 
minister  and  one  elder;  and  each  presbytery 
consisting  of  more  than  twenty-four  ministers, 
shall  send  two  ministers  and  two  elders ;  and 

*  The  radical  principles  of  Presbyterian  church  govern- 
ment and  discipline  are  : — That  the  several  different  con- 
gregations of  believers,  taken  collectively,  constitute  one 
church  of  Christ,  called  emphatically  the  church ; — that  a 
larger  part  oi  the  church,  or  a  representation  of  it,  should 
govern  a  smaller,  or  determine  matters  of  controversy 
which  arise  therein ; — that,  in  like  manner,  a  representa- 
tion of  the  whole  should  govern  and  determine  in  regard 
to  every  part,  and  to  all  the  parts  united ;  that  is,  that  a 
majority  shall  govern:  and  consequently  that  appeals  may 
be  carried  from  lower  to  higher  judicatories,  till  they  be 
finally  decided  by  the  collected  wisdom  and  united  voice 
of  the  whole  church.  For  these  principles  and  this  pro- 
cedure, the  example  of  the  apostles,  and  the  practice  of 
the  primitive  church,  is  considered  as  authority.  See 
Acts  XV.  to  the  29th  verse ;  and  the  proofs  adduced  under 
the  last  three  chapters. 

36* 


426  rORM    OP    GOVERNMENT. 

in  the  like  proportion  for  every  twenty-four 
ministers  in  any  presbytery :  and  these  dele- 
gates, so  appointed,  shall  be  styled,  Commis- 
sioners  to  the  General  Assembly. 

III.  Any  fourteen  or  more  of  these  commis- 
sioners, one  half  of  whom  shall  be  ministers, 
being  met  on  the  day,  and  at  the  place  ap- 
pointed, shall  be  a  quorum  for  the  transaction 
of  business. 

IV.  The  General  Assembly  shall  receive  and 
issue  all  appeals  and  references  which  may  be 
regularly  brought  before  them  from  the  inferior 
judicatories.  They  shall  review  the  records  of 
every  synod,  and  approve  or  censure  them: 
they  shall  give  their  advice  and  instruction  in 
all  cases  submitted  to  them  in  conformity  with 
the  constitution  of  the  church  ;  and  they  shall 
constitute  the  bond  of  union,  peace,  correspond- 
ence, and  mutual  confidence,  among  all  our 
churches. 

V.  To  the  General  Assembly  also  belongs  the 
power  of  deciding  in  all  controversies  respect- 
ing doctrine  and  discipline  ;  of  reproving,  warn- 
ing, or  bearing  testimony  against  error  in  doc- 
trine, or  immorality  in  practice,  in  any  church, 
presbytery,  or  synod;  of  erecting  new  synods 
when  it  may  be  judged  necessary ;  of  superin- 
tending the  concerns  of  the  whole  church ;  of 
corresponding  with  foreign  churches,  on  such 
terms  as  may  be  agreed  upon  by  the  Assembly 
and  the  corresponding  body;  of  suppressing 
schismatical  contentions  and  disputations ;  and, 
in  general,  of  recommending  and  attempting 
reformation  of  manners,  and  the  promotion  of 


FORM    OF    GOVERNMENT.  427 

charity,  truth,  and  hoUness,  through  all  the 
churches  under  their  care. 

VI.  Before  any  overtures  or  regulations  pro- 
posed by  the  Assembly  to  be  established  as 
constitutional  rules,  shall  be  obligatory  on  the 
churches,  it  shall  be  necessary  to  transmit  them 
to  all  the  presbyteries,  and  to  receive  the  re- 
turns of  at  least  a  majority  of  them,  in  writing, 
approving  thereof 

VII.  The  General  Assembly  shall  meet  at 
least  once  in  every  year.  On  the  day  appoint- 
ed for  that  purpose,  the  moderator  of  the  last 
Assembl}^,  if  present,  or  in  case  of  his  absence, 
some  other  minister,  shall  open  the  meeting 
with  a  sermon,  and  preside  until  a  new  mode- 
rator be  chosen.  No  commissioner  shall  have 
a  right  to  deliberate  or  vote  in  the  Assembly, 
until  his  name  shall  have  been  enrolled  by  the 
clerk,  and  his  commission  examined,  and  filed 
among  the  papers  of  the  Assembly. 

VIII.  Each  session  of  the  Assembly  shall  be 
opened  and  closed  with  prayer.  x\nd  the  whole 
business  of  the  Assembly  being  finished,  and  the 
vote  taken  for  dissolving  the  present  Assembly, 
the  moderator  shall  say  from  the  chair, — "  By 
"virtue  of  the  authority  delegated  to  me,  by 
"the  church,  let  this  General  Assembly  be  dis- 
"  solved,  and  I  do  hereby  dissolve  it,  and  re- 
"  quire  another  General  Assembly,  chosen  in 
"  the  same  manner,  to  meet  at 

"on  the  day  of  A.  D.  "— 

after  which  he  shall  pray  and  return  thanks, 
and  pronounce  on  those  present  the  apostolic 
benediction. 


42S  FORM    OP    GOVERNMENT. 


CHAPTER  XIII. 

OP   ELECTING   AND   ORDAINING   RULING  ELDERS 
AND    DEACONS. 

I.  Having  defined  the  officers  of  the  church, 
and  the  judicatories  by  which  it  shall  be 
governed,  it  is  proper  here  to  prescribe  the 
mode  in  which  ecclesiastical  rulers  should  be 
ordained  to  their  respective  offices,  as  well  as 
some  of  the  principles  by  which  they  shall  be 
regulated  in  discharging  their  several  duties. 

II.  Every  congregation  shall  elect  persons  to 
the  office  of  ruling  elder,  and  to  the  office  of 
deacon,  or  either  of  them,  in  the  mode  most 
approved  and  in  use  in  that  congregation.  (1) 
But  in  all  cases  the  persons  elected  must  be 
male  members  in  full  communion  in  the  church 
in  which  they  are  to  exercise  their  office. 

III.  When  any  person  shall  have  been 
elected  to  either  of  these  offices,  and  shall  have 
declared  his  willingness  to  accept  thereof,  he 
shall  be  set  apart  in  the  following  manner: 

IV.  After  sermon,  the  minister  shall  state, 
in  a  concise  manner,  the  warrant  and  nature 
of  the  office  of  ruling  elder  or  deacon,  together 
with  the  character  proper  to  be  sustained,  and 
the  duties  to  be  fulfilled  by  the  officer  elect  : 
having  done  this,  he  shall  propose  to  the  can- 
didate, in  the  presence  of  the  congregation,  the 
following  questions  : — viz. 

(1)  1  Cor.  xiv.  40.  Let  all  things  be  done  decently, 
and  in  order. 


FORM    OF    GOVERNMENT.  429 

1.  Do  you  believe  the  Scriptures  of  the  Old 
and  New  Testaments  to  be  the  word  of  God, 
the  only  infallible  rule  of  faith  and  practice  ? 

2.  Do  you  sincerely  receive  and  adopt  the 
confession  of  faith  of  this  church,  as  containing 
the  system  of  doctrine  taught  in  the  Holy  Scrip- 
tures ? 

3.  Do  you  approve  of  the  government  and 
discipline  of  the  Presbyterian  church  in  these 
United  States  ? 

4.  Do  you  accept  the  office  of  ruling  elder 
(or  deacon,  as  the  case  may  be)  in  this  congre- 
gation, and  promise  faithfully  to  perform  all  the 
duties  thereof? 

5.  Do  you  promise  to  study  the  peace,  unity, 
and  purity  of  the  church  ? 

The  elder,  or  deacon  elect,  having  answered 
these  questions  in  the  atfirmative,  the  minister 
shall  address  to  the  members  of  the  church  the 
following  question  : — viz. 

Do  you,  the  members  of  this  church,  acknow- 
ledge and  receive  this  brother  as  a  ruling  elder, 
(or  deacon)  and  do  you  promise  to  yield  him  all 
that  honour,  encouragement,  and  obedience,  in 
the  Lord,  to  which  his  office,  according  to  the 
word  of  God,  and  the  constitution  of  this 
church,  entitles  him  ? 

The  members  of  the  church  having  answered 
this  question  in  the  affirmative,  by  holding  up 
their  right  hands,  the  minister  shall  proceed  to 
set  apart  the  candidate,  by  prayer,  to  the  office 
of  ruling  elder,  (or  deacon,  as  the  (1)  case  may 

(1)  Acts  vi.  5,  6. 


430  FORM    OF    GOVERNMENT. 

be)  and  shall  give  to  him,  and  to  the  congre- 
gation, an  exhortation  suited  to  the  occasion. 

V.  Where  there  is  an  existing  session,  it  is 
proper  that  the  members  of  that  body,  at  the 
close  of  the  service,  and  in  the  face  of  the  con- 
gregation, take  the  newly  ordained  elder  by  the 
liand,  saying  in  words  to  this  purpose, — ''We 
"  give  you  the  right  hand  of  fellowship,  to  take 
"part  of  this  office  with  us." 

VI.  The  offices  of  ruling  elder  and  deacon 
are  both  perpetual,  and  cannot  be  laid  aside  at 
pleasure.  No  person  can  be  divested  of  either 
office  but  by  deposition.  Yet  an  elder  or  dea- 
con may  become,  by  age  or  infirmity,  incapable 
of  performing  the  duties  of  his  office ;  or  he 
may,  though  chargeable  with  neither  heresy 
nor  immorality,  become  unacceptable,  in  his 
official  character,  to  a  majority  of  the  congre- 
gation to  which  he  belongs.  In  either  of  these 
cases  he  may,  as  often  happens  with  respect 
to  a  minister,  cease  to  be  an  acting  elder  or 
deacon. 

VII.  Whenever  a  ruling  elder  or  deacon, 
from  either  of  these  causes,  or  from  any  other, 
not  inferring  crime,  shall  be  incapable  of  serv- 
ing the  church  to  edification,  the  session  shall 
take  order  on  the  subject,  and  state  the  fact, 
together  with  the  reasons  of  it,  on  their  re- 
cords. Provided  always,  that  nothing  of  this 
kind  shall  be  done  without  the  concurrence  of 
the  individual  in  question,  unless  by  the  advice 
of  presbytery. 


FORM    OF    GOVERNMENT.  431 


CHAPTER  XIV. 

OF    LICENSING    CANDIDATES    OR    PROBATIONERS 
TO    PREACH    THE    GOSPEL. 

I.  The  H0I7  Scriptures  require  that  some 
trial  be  previously  had  of  them  who  are  to  be 
ordained  to  the  ministry  of  the  gospel,  that  this 
sacred  office  may  not  be  degraded,  by  being 
committed  to  weak  or  unworthy  men  ;  (1)  and 
that  the  churches  may  have  an  opportunity  to 
form  a  better  judgment  respecting  the  talents 
of  those  by  whom  they  are  to  be  instructed 
and  governed.  For  this  purpose  presbyteries 
shall  license  probationers  to  preach  the  gospel, 
that  after  a  competent  trial  of  their  talents,  and 
receiving  from  the  churches  a  good  report, 
they  may,  in  due  time,  ordain  them  to  the 
sacred  office.  (2) 

II.  Every  candidate  for  licensure  shall  be 
taken  on  trials  by  that  presbytery  to  which  he 
most  naturally  belongs;  and  he  shall  be  con- 
sidered as  most  naturally  belonging  to  that 
presbytery  within  the  bounds  of  which  he  has 
ordinarily  resided.  But  in  case  any  candidate 
should  find  it  more  convenient  to  put  himself 
under  the  care  of  a  presbytery  at  a  distance 
from  that  to  which  he  most  naturally  belongs, 
lie  may  be  received  by  the  said  presbvtery,  on 

(1)  iTim.  iii.  6.  Not  a  novice.  2  Tim.  ii.  2.  And 
the  thing's  that  thou  hast  heard  of  me  among  many  wit- 
nesses, the  same  commit  thou  to  faithful  men,  who  shall 
be  able  to  teach  others  also. 

(2)  ITim.  iii.  7.     3 John  12. 


432  FORM    OF    GOVERNMENT. 

his  producing  testimonials  either  from  the  pres- 
bytery within  the  bounds  of  which  he  has  com- 
monly resided,  or  from  any  two  ministers  of 
that  presbytery  in  good  standing,  of  his  exem- 
olary  piety,  and  other  requisite  quahfications. 

III.  It  is  proper  and  requisite  that  candidates 
ipplying  to  the  presbytery  to  be  licensed  to 
preach  the  gospel,  produce  satisfactory  testi- 
monials of  their  good  moral  character,  and  of 
their  being  regular  members  of  some  particular 
church.  And  it  is  the  duty  of  the  presbytery, 
for  their  satisfaction  with  regard  to  the  real 
piety  of  such  candidates,  to  examine  them  re- 
specting their  experimental  acquaintance  whh 
religion,  and  the  motives  which  influence  them 
to  desire  the  sacred  office.  (1)  This  examina- 
tion shall  be  close  and  particular,  and,  in  most 
cases,  may  best  be  conducted  in  the  presence 
of  the  presbytery  only.  And  it  is  recommended 
that  the  candidate  be  also  required  to  produce 
a  diploma  of  bachelor  or  master  of  arts,  from 
some  college  or  university:  or,  at  least,  authen- 
tic testimonials  of  his  having  gone  through  a 
regular  course  of  learning. 

IV.  Because  it  is  highly  reproachful  to  reli- 
gion, and  dangerous  to  the  church,  to  intrust 
the  holy  ministry  to  weak  and  ignorant  men,  (2) 
the  presbytery  shall  try  each  candidate,  as  to 
his  knowledge  of  the  Latin  language  ;  and  the 
original  languages  in  which  the  Holy  Scrip- 

(1)  Rom.  ii.  21.  Thou,  therefore,  which  teachest  an- 
other, teachest  thou  not  thyself?  &c.,  in  connexion  "with 
figure  (1),  page  431. 

(2)  See  figures  (1)  and  (2),  page  431. 


FORM    OF    GOVERNMENT.  433 

tures  were  written.  They  shall  also  examine 
iiim  on  the  arts  and  sciences ;  on  theology, 
natural  and  revealed ;  and  on  ecclesiastical 
history,  the  sacraments,  and  church  govern- 
ment. And  in  order  to  make  trial  of  his 
talents  to  explain  and  vindicate,  and  practi- 
cally to  enforce,  the  doctrines  of  the  gospel, 
the  presbytery  shall  require  of  him, 

1.  A  Latin  exegesis  on  some  common  head 
in  divinity. 

2.  A  critical  exercise;  in  which  the  can- 
didate shall  give  a  specimen  of  his  taste  and 
judgment  in  sacred  criticism;  presenting  an 
explication  of  the  original  text,  stating  its  con- 
nexion, illustrating  its  force  and  beauties,  re- 
moving its  difficulties,  and  solving  any  import- 
ant questions  which  it  may  present. 

3.  A  lecture,  or  exposition  of  several  verses 
of  Scripture ;  and, 

4.  A  popular  sermon. 

V.  These,  or  other  similar  exercises,  at  the 
discretion  of  the  presbytery,  shall  be  exhibited 
until  they  shall  have  obtained  satisfaction  as  to 
the  candidate's  piety,  literature,  and  aptness  to 
teach  in  the  churches.  (1)  The  lecture  and  popu- 
lar sermon,  if  the  presbytery  think  proper,  may 
be  delivered  in  the  presence  of  a  congregation. 

VI.  That  the  most  effectual  measures  may 
be  taken  to  guard  against  the  admission  of  in- 
sufficient men  into  the  sacred  office,  (2)  it  is 
recommended,   that   no   candidate,  except  in 

(1)  1  Tim.  iii.  2. — Apt  to  teach.  See  also  the  fore- 
going quotations. 

(2)  See  figure  (1),  page  431. 

37 


434  FORM    OF    GOVERNMENT. 

extraordinary  cases,  be  licensed,  iiniess,  aftei 
his  having  completed  the  usual  course  of  aca- 
demical studies,  he  shall  have  studied  divinity 
at  least  two  years,  under  some  approved  divine 
or  professor  of  theology. 

VII.  If  the  presbytery  be  satisfied  with  his 
trials,  they  shall  then  proceed  to  license  him  in 
the  following  manner :  The  moderator  shall 
propose  to  him  the  following  questions :  viz. 

1.  Do  you  believe  the  Scriptures  of  the  Old 
and  New  Testaments  to  be  the  word  of  God, 
the  only  infallible  rule  of  faith  and  practice  ? 

2.  Do  you  sincerely  receive  and  adopt  the 
confession  of  faith  of  this  church,  as  contain- 
ing the  system  of  doctrine  taught  in  the  Holy 
Scriptures  ? 

3.  Do  you  promise  to  study  the  peace,  unity, 
and  purity  of  the  church? 

4.  Do  you  promise  to  submit  yourself,  in  the 
Lord,  to  the  government  of  this  presbytery,  or 
of  any  other  presbytery  in  the  bounds  of  which 
you  may  be  called  ? 

VIII.  The  candidate  having  answered  these 
questions  in  the  affirmative,  and  the  moderator 
! saving  offered  up  a  prayer  suitable  to  the  oc- 
casion, he  shall  address  himself  to  the  can- 
didate to  the  following  purpose: — "In  the 
"  name  of  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  and  by  that 
"  authority  which  he  hath  given  to  the  church 
"  for  its  edification,  we  do  license  you  to  preacli 
"  the  gospel,  wherever  God  in  his  providence 
"  may  call  you :  and  for  this  purpose,  may  the 
"  blessing  of  God  rest  upon  you,  and  the  Spirit 
"of  Christ  fill  your  he3iXt.—^?nenf''  and  re- 


FORM    OF    GOVERNMENT.  435 

cord  shall  be  made  of  the  licensure  in  the  fol- 


lowing  or  like  form  :  viz. 

At                            the 

day  of 

the  presbytery  of 

having 

received  testimonials  in  favour  of 
of  his  having  gone  through  a  regular  course 
of  literature :  of  his  good  moral  character ; 
and  of  his  being  in  the  communion  of  the 
church  :  proceeded  to  take  the  usual  parts  of 
trial  for  his  licensure :  and  he  having  given 
satisfaction  as  to  his  accomplishments  in  litera- 
ture; as  to  his  experimental  acquaintance  with 
rehgion ;  and  as  to  his  proficiency  in  divinity 
and  other  studies ;  the  presbytery  did,  and 
hereby  do,  express  their  approbation  of  all  these 
parts  of  trial :  and  he  having  adopted  the  con- 
fession of  faith  of  this  church,  and  satisfactorily 
answered  the  questions  appointed  to  be  put  to 
.candidates  to  be  licensed;  the  presbytery  did,  and 
hereby  do  license  him,  the  said 
to  preach  thje  Gospel  of  Christ,  as  a  probationer 
.for  the  holy  ministry,  withirj  the  bounds  of  this 
^presbytery,  or  wherever  else  he  shall  be  orderly 
called.  ... 

.-  IX.  When  any  candidate  for  licensure  shall 
h^ve  occasion  v\rhile  his  trials  are  going  on,  to. 
remove  from  the  bounds,  of  his  own  presbytery 
into  those  of  another,  it  shall  be  considered  as 
regular  for  the  latter  presbytery,  on  his  produ- 
cing proper  testimonials  from  the  former,  to  take 
up  his  trials  at  the  point  at  which  they  were 
left,  and  conduct  them  to  a  conclusion,  in  the 
same  manner  as  if  they  had  been  commenced 
by  themselves. 


436  FORM    OP    GOVERNMENT. 

X.  Ill  like  manner,  when  any  candidate,  after 
licensure,  shall,  by  the  permission  of  his  presby- 
tery, remove  without  its  limits,  an  extract  of 
ihe  record  of  his  licensure,  accompanied  with 
a  presbyterial  recommendation,  signed  by  the 
clerk,  shall  be  his  testimonials  to  the  presbytery 
under  whose  care  he  shall  come. 

XI.  When  a  licentiate  shall  have  been  preach- 
ing for  a  considerable  time,  and  his  services  do 
not  appear  to  be  edifying  to  the  churches,  the 
presbytery  may,  if  they  think  proper,  recall  his 
license. 


CHAPTER  XV. 

OF  THE  ELECTION  AND  ORDINATION  OF  BISHOPS 
OR    PASTORS,  AND    EVANGELISTS. 

I.  When  any  probationer  shall  have  preach:: 
ed  so_much  to  the  satisfaction  of  any  congrega- 
tion's that  the  people  appear  prepared  in  elect 
srgasUiv,  thesessio^  shall  take  measures  to  con-, 
yeae^hem  for  this  purpose :  and  it  shall  always^ 
be  the  duty  of  the  session  to  convene' themT 
when  a  majority  oi  the'  persons  entitled  to  vote 
in_Jhe  case,  shall,  by  a  petition,  request  that  a 
meeting  may  b'e  called! 

II.  When  such  a  meeting  is  intended,  the  ses- 
sion shall  solicit  the  presence  and  counsel  of 
some  neighbouring  minister  to  assist  them  in 
conducting  the  election  contemplated,  unless 
highly  inconvenient  on  account  of  distance ;  in 
which  case  they  may  proceed  without  such  as- 
sistance. 


FORM    OF    GOVERNMENT.  437 

-III.  On  a  Lord's-day^ immediately  after  pub- 
lic worship,  it  shall  Jdc  intimated  from  the  pul- 
,pit,  that  all  the  menibers  of  that  congregation 
are  requested  to  meet  on  ensuing, 

at  the  church,  or  usual  place  for  holding  public 
worship ;  then  and  there,  if  it  be  agreeable  to 
them,  to  proceed  to  the  election  of  a  pastor  for 
that  congregation. 

IV.  On  the  day  appointed,  the  minister  in- 
vited to  preside,  if  he  be  present,  shall,  if  it  be 
deemed  expedient,  preach  a  sermon ;  and  after 
sermon  he  shall  announce  to  the  people,  that 
he  will  immediately  proceed  to  take  the  votes 
ofjhe  electors  of  that  congregation,  for  a  pas- 
tor,  if  such  be  their  desirej  and  when  this  de- 
sire s'haii  be  expressed  by  a  majority  of  voices, 
he  shall  then  proceed  to  take  votes  accordingly. 
In  this  election,  no  person  shall  be  entitled  to 
vote  who  refuses  to  submit  to  the  censures  of 
the  church, yegiTlarly  administered ;  or  who  does 
iiot  contribute  his  just  proportion^  according  to 
his  own  engagements,  or  the  rules  of  that  con- 
gregation, to  all  its  necessary  expenses. 

V.  When  the  votes  are  taken,  if  it  appear 
that  a  large  minority  of  the  people  are  averse 
froni  the  candidate  who  has  a  majority  of  votes, 
and  cannot  be  induced  to  concur  in  the  call,  the 
presiding  minister  shall  endeavour  to  dissuade, 
the  congregation  from  prosecuting  it  further. 
But  if  the  people  be  nearly,  or  entirely,  unani- 
mous;  or  if  the  majority  shajl  msisLupon  their 
_right  to  call  a  pastor,  the  presiding  minister,  in 

that  case,  after  using  his  utmost  endeavours  to 
persuade  the  congregation  to  unanimity,  shall 
37*  


438  FORM    OF    GOVERNMENT. 

proceed  to  draw  a  call,  in  due  form,  and  toJiaye 
jt^suT)snnbRd  })y  the  electors ;  certifying  at  the 
same  time,  in  writing,  the  nmnber  and  circum- 
stances of  Ihose  who  do  not  concur  in  the  call^" 
all  which  proceedings  shall  be  laid  before  the 
presbytery,  together  with  the  call. 

VI.  The  call  shall  be  in  the  following  or  like 
form:  viz. 

The  congregation  of  being,  on 

sufficient  grounds,  well  satisfied  of  the  ministe- 
rial qualifications  of  you  and 
having  good  hopes,  from  our  past  experience 
of  your  labours,  that  your  ministrations  in  the 
Gospel  will  be  profitable  to  our  spiritual  inte- 
rests, do  earnestly  call  and  desire  you  to  under- 
take the  pastoral  office  in'"  said' cbngrega'tion  ; 
promising  you,  in  the  discharge  of  your  duty, 
all  proper  support,  encouragement,  and  obe- 
dience in  the  Lord.  And  that  you  may  be  free 
from  worldly  cares  and  avocations;  we  hereby 
promise  and  oblige  ourselves  to  pay  t5*you  the 
sum  of  '**  in  regular  quar- 
terly (or  half  yearly,  or  yearly)  payments, 
during  the  time  of  your  being  and  continuing 
the  regular  pastor  of  this  church.  In  testimony 
whereof,  we  have  respectively  subSCfibed  our 
names,  this  day  of  A.D. 
Jittested  by  A.  D.  Moderator  of  the  meeting. 

VII.  But  if  any  congregation  shall  choose  to 
subscribe  their  call  by  their  elders  and  deacons^ 

"or  by  their  trustees,  or  jby  a  select,  conimittepj 
they  shall  be  a^  liberty  to  do  so.  But  it  shall, 
in  such  case,  be  lully  certified  to  the  presbytery, 
by  the  minister,  "or  other  person  who  presided, 


FORM    OF    GOVERNMENT.  439 

that  the  persons  signing  have  been  appointed, 
for  that  purpose,  by  a  puWic  vote  oi  the  con- 
gregation; 'and  that  the  call  has  been,  in  all 
other  respects,  prepared  as  above  directed. 

VIII.  When  a  call  shall  be  presented  to  any 
minister  or  candidate,  it  shall  always  be  viewed 
as  a  sufficient  petition  from  the  people  for  his 
instalment.  The  acceptance  of  a  call,  by  a 
minister  or  candidate,  shall  always  be  considered 
as  a  request,  on  "his  part,  to  be  installed  at  the 
same  time.  And  when  a  candidate  shall  be 
ordained  in  consequence  of  a  call  from  -any 
congregation,  the  presbytery  shall,  at  the  same 
time,  if  practicable,  install  him  pastor  of  that 
congregation. 

IX.  The  call,  thus  prepared,  shall  be  pre- 
sented to  the  presbytery,  under  whose  care  the 
person  called  shall  be ;  that,  if  the  presbytery^ 
thjnkitexpedient  to,  present 'the  call  to  him^it 
Inaylreaccordingly  presented :  and  no  minister 
or  candidate  shall  receive  a  call  but  through 
the  hands  of  the  presbytery. 

X.  If  the  call  be  to  the  licentiate  of  another 
presbytery,  in  that  case  the  commissioners  de- 
puted from  the  congregation  to  prosecute  the 
call,  shall  produce,  to  that  judicatory,  a  certifi- 
cate from  their  own  presbytery,  regularly  at- 
tested by  the  moderator  and  clerk,  that  the  call 
has  been  laid  before  them,  and  that  it  is  in 
order.  If  that  presbytery  present  the  call  to 
their  licentiate,  and  he  be  disposed  to  accept  it, 
they  shall  then  dismiss  him  from  their  jurisdic- 
tion, and  require  him  to  repair  to  that  presby- 
tery, into  the  bounds  of  which  he  is  called ;  and 


440  FORM    OF    GOVERNMENT. 

t)jfire„to  submit  himgplf  to  the  usual  trials  pre- 
paratory to  ordination,  mmm  -.9^.  , 

XI.  Trials  for  ordination,  especially  in  a  dif- 
ferent presbytery  from  that  in  which  the  can- 
didate was  licensed,  shall  consist  of  a  careful 
examination  as  to  his  acquaintance  with  ex- 
perimental religion ;  as  to  his  knowledge  of 
philosophy,  theology,  ecclesiastical  history,  the 
Greek  and  Hebrew  languages,  and  such  other 
branches  of  learning  as  to  the  presbytery  may 
appear  requisite ;  and  as  to  his  knowledge  of 
the  constitution,  the  rules  and  principles  of  the 
government,  and  discipline  of  the  church ;  to- 
gether with  such  written  discourse,  or  dis- 
courses, founded  on  the  word  of  God,  as  to  the 
presbytery  shall  seem  proper.  (1)  The  presby- 
tery, being  fully  satisfied  with  his  qualifications 

•ibr,the..sacred  office,  shall  appoint  a  day  for  his 
ordination,  which  ought  to  be,  if  convenient,  in 
that  church  of  which  he  is  to  be  the  minister. 
It  is  also  recommended  that  a  fast  day  be  ob- 
served in  the  congregation  previous  to  the  day 
of  ordination.  (2) 

XII.  The  day  appointed  for  ordination  being 
come,  and  the  presbytery  convened,  a  member 
of  the  presbytery,  previously  appointed  to  that 
duty,  shall  preach  a  sermon  adapted  to  the  oc- 
casion. The  same,  or  another  member  ap- 
pointed to  preside,  shall  afterwards  briefly  recite 
fi-om  the  pulpit,  in  the  audience  of  the  people, 
the  proceedings  of  the  presbytery  preparatory 

(1)  See  the  proofs  in  sections  1,2,  3,  4,  of  chapter  iv 

(2)  Acts  xiii.  2,  3. 


FORM    OF    GOVERNMENT.  441 

to  this  transaction :  he  shall  point  out  the  na- 
ture and  importance  of  the  ordinance  ;  and  en- 
deavour to  impress  the  audience  with  a  proper 
sense  of  the  solemnity  of  the  transaction. 

Then,  addressing  himself  to  the  candidate, 
he  shall  propose  to  him  the  following  questions, 
viz. 

1.  Do  you  believe  the  Scriptures  of  the  Old 
and  New  Testaments  to  be  the  word  of  God, 
the  only  infallible  rule  of  faith  and  prac- 
tice ?(1)' 

2.  Do  you  sincerely  receive  and  adopt  the 
confession  of  faith  of  this  church,  as  containing 
the  system  of  doctrine  taught  in  the  Holy 
Scriptures  ?  (2) 

3.  Do  you  approve  of  the  government  and 
discipline  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  in  these 
United  States  ?  (3) 

4.  Do  you  promise  subjection  to  your  breth- 
ren in  the  Lord  ?  (4) 

5.  Have  you  been  induced,  as  far  as  you 
know  your  own  heart,  to  seek  the  office  of  the 
holy  ministry  from  love  to  God,  and  a  sincere 
desire  to  promote  his  glory  in  the  gospel  of  his 
Son  ?  (5) 

6.  Do  you  promise  to  be  zealous  and  faith- 
ful in  maintaining  the  truths  of  the  gospel,  and 
the  purity  and  peace  of  the  church ;  whatever 


(1)  2  Tim.  iii.  16.     Eph.  ii.  20. 

(2)  2  Tim.  i.  13. 

(3)  See  figure  (2)  above. 

(4)  1  Pet.  V.  5. 

(5^  1  Cor.  ii.  2.    2  Cor.  iv.  5. 


442  FORM    or    GOVERNMENT. 

persecution  or  opposition  may  arise  unto  you 
on  that  account?  (1) 

7.  Do  you  engage  to  be  faithful  and  dihgent 
in  the  exercise  of  all  private  and  personal  du- 
ties, which  become  you  as  a  Christian  and  a 
minister  of  the  gospel ;  as  well  as  in  all  relative 
duties,  and  the  public  duties  of  your  office  ;  en- 
deavouring to  adorn  the  profession  of  the  gos- 

..  pel  by  your  conversation ;  and  walking  with 
exemplary  piety  before  the  flock  over  which 
God  shall  make  you  overseer  ?  (2) 

8.  Are  you  now  willing  to  take  the  charge 
of  this  congregation,  agreeably  to  your  declara- 
tion at  accepting  their  call  ?  And  do  you  pro- 
mise to  discharge  the  duties  of  a  pastor  to  them, 
as  God  shall  give  you  strength  ?  (3) 

XIII.  The  candidate  having  answered  these 
questions    in    the    affirmative,   the    presiding 
miriister  shall  propose  to  the  people  the  follow- 
ing questions : — 
^  ,      1.  Do  you,  the  people  of  this  congregation, 
'^^'continue  to  profess  your  readiness  to  receive 
^^k-Kc.^  ■  whom  you  have  called 

to'^be  your  minister  ? 
.  g^^^f    2.  Do  you  promise  to  receive  the  word  of  \i^^  ^ 
.  '  truth  from  his  mouth,  with  meekness  and  love;  '  .c^^i^ 
and  to  submit  to  him  in  the  due  exercise  of 
discipline  ?  (4) 

3.  Do  you  promise  to  encourage  him  in  his 

(1)  Acts  XX.  17  to  31. 

(2)  See  the  epistles  to  Timothy  and  Titus  throughout. 

(3)  1  Pet.  V.  2. 

(4)  James  i.  21.     Heb.  xiii.  17. 


FORM    OF    GOVERNMENT.  443     ,  "^^ 

arduous  labour,  and  to  assist  his  endeavours  for 
your  instruction  and  spiritual  edification  ?  (1)      ->^ 

4.  And  do  you  engage  to  continue  to  him,         " 
while  he  is  your  pastor,  that  competent  worldly       tJ  * 
maintenance  which  you  have  promised ;  and       ^^*' 
jvvhateveii_else_  you  may  see   needful  for  the 
honour  of  religion,  and  his  comfort   among 
you  ?  (2) 

XIV.  The  people  having  answered  these 
questions  in  the  affirmative,  by  holding  up  their 
right  hands,  the  candidate  shall  kneel  down  in 
the  most  convenient  part  of  the  church.  Then 
the  presiding  minister  shall,  by  prayer,  (3)  and 
with  the  laying  on  of  the  hands  of  the  presby- 
tery, (4)  according  to  the  apostolic  example, 
solemnly  ordain  him  to  the  holy  office  of  the 
gospel  ministry.  Prayer  being  ended,  he  shall 
rise  from  his  knees;  and  the  minister  who  pre- 
sides shall  first,  and  afterward  all  the  members 
of  the  presbytery  in  their  order,  take  him  by 
the  right  hand,  saying,  in  words  to  this  purpose, 
a  We  giye  you  the  right  hand  of  fellowship,  to 
'•'  take  part  of  this  ministry  with  us."  (5)  After 
which  the  minister  presiding,  or  some  other 
appointed  for  the  purpose,  shall  give  a  solemn 
charge  in  the  name  of  God,  to  the  newly  or- 
dained bishop,  (6)  and  to  the  people,  (7)  to  per- 

(1)  1  Thess.  V.  12,  13. 

(2)  1  Cor.  ix.  7  to  15. 

(3)  Acts  xiii.  2,  3. 

(4)  1  Tim.  iv.  14. 

(5)  G-ii.  ii.  9.     Acts  i.  25. 

(6)  2  Tim.  iv.  1,  2. 

(7)  Mark  iv.  24.  Heb.  ii.  1.  See  also  figures  (3). 
(4),  page  442,  and  (1),  page. 443-.      • 


444  FORM    OF    GOVERNMENT. 

severe  in  the  discharge  of  their  mutual  duties ; 
and  shall  then,  by  prayer,  recommend  them 
both  to  the  grace  of  God,  and  his  holy  keeping, 
and  finally,  after  singing  a  psalm,  shall  dismiss 
the  congregation  with  the  usual  blessing.  And 
the  presbytery  shall  duly  record  the  transaction. 

XV.  As  it  is  sometimes  desirable  and  im- 
portant that  a  candidate  who  has  not  received 
a  call  to  be  the  pastor  of  a  particular  congre- 
gation, should,  nevertheless,  be  ordained  to  the 
work  of  the  gospel  ministry,  as  an  evangelist 
to  preach  the  gospel,  administer  sealing  ordi- 
nances, and  organize  churches,  in  frontier  or 
destitute  settlements ;  in  this  case,  the  last  of 
the  preceding  questions  shall  be  omitted,  and 
the  following  used  as  a  substitute  : — viz. 

Are  you  now  willing  to  undertake  the  work 
of  an  evangelist ;  and  do  you  promise  to  dis- 
charge the  duties  which  may  be  incumbent  on 
you  in  this  character,  as  God  shall  give  you 
strength  ? 


CHAPTER   XVI. 

OP     TRANSLATION,    OR     REMOVING    A    MINISTER 
FROM    ONE    CHARGE    TO    ANOTHER. 

I.  No  bishop  shall  be  translated  from  one 
church  to  another,  nor  shall  he  receive  any  call 
for  that  purpose,  but  by  the  permission  of  the 
presbytery. 

II.  Any  church,  desiring  to  call  a  settled 
minister  from  his  present  charge,  shall,  by  com- 
missioners  properly   authorized,   represent  to 


FORM    OF    GOVERNMENT.  445 

the  presbytery  the  ground  on  which  they  plead 
his  removal.  The  presbytery,  having  maturely 
considered  their  plea,  may,  according  as  it  ap- 
pears more  or  less  reasonable,  either  recom- 
mend to  them  to  desist  from  prosecuting  the 
call,  or  may  order  it  to  be  delivt^red  to  the 
minister  to  whom  it  is  directed.  If  the  parties 
be  not  prepared  to  have  the  matter  issued  at 
that  presbytery,  a  written  citation  shall  be 
given  to  the  minister  and  his  congregation,  to 
appear  before  the  presbytery  at  their  next 
meeting.  This  citation  shall  be  read  from  the 
pulpit  in  that  church,  by  a  member  of  the 
presbytery  appointed  for  that  purpose,  imme- 
diately after  public  worship ;  so  that  at  least 
two  Sabbaths  shall  intervene  betwixt  the  cita- 
tion and  the  meeting  of  the  presbytery  at  which 
the  cause  of  translation  is  to  be  considered. 
The  presbytery  being  met,  and  having  heard 
the  parties,  shall,  upon  the  whole  view  of  the 
case,  either  continue  him  in  his  former  charge, 
or  translate  him,  as  they  shall  deem  to  be  most 
for  the  peace  and  edification  of  the  church ;  or 
refer  the  whole  affair  to  the  synod  at  their  next 
meeting,  for  their  advice  and  direction. 

III.  When  the  congregation  calling  any  set- 
tled minister  is  within  the  limits  of  another 
presbytery,  that  congregation  shall  obtain  leave^ 
from  the  presbytery  to  which  thev  belong  to 
apply  to  the  presbytery  of  which  he  is  a  mem- 
ber  :  and  that  presbytery,  having  cited  him  and 
his  congregation  as  before  directed,  shall  pro- 
ceed to  hear  and  issue  the  cause.  If  they  agree 
to  the  translation,  they  shall  release  him  from 
'38 


446  FORM    OF    GOVERNMENT. 

his  present  charge  ;  and  having  given  him  pro- 
per testimonials,  shall  require  him  to  repair  to 
that  presbytery,  within  the  bounds  of  which 
the  congregation  calling  him  lies,  that  the  pro- 
per steps  may  be  taken  for  his  regular  settle- 
ment in  that  congregatioii :  and  the  presbytery 
to  which  the  congregation  belongs,  having  re- 
ceived an  authenticated  certificate  of  his  release, 
under  the  hand  of  the  clerk  of  that  presbytery, 
shall  proceed  to  install  him  in  the  congregation, 
as  soon  as  convenient.  Provided  always,  that 
no  bishop  or  pastor  shall  be  translated  without 
his  own  consent  previously  obtained. 

IV.  When  any  minister  is  to  be  settled  in  a 
congregation,  the  instalment,  which  consists  in 
constituting  a  pastoral  relation  between  him 
and  the  people  of  that  particular  church,  may 
be  performed  either  by  the  presbytery,  or  by  a 
committee  appointed  for  that  purpose,  as  may 
appear  most  expedient:  and  the  following  order 
shall  be  observed  therein  : 

V.  A  day  shall  be  appointed  for  the  instal- 
ment at  such  time  as  may  appear  most  con- 
venient, and  due  notice  thereof  given  to  the 
congregation. 

VI.  When  the  presbytery,  or  committee, 
shall  be  convened  and  constituted,  on  the  day 
appointed,  a  sermon  shall  be  delivered  by  some 
one  of  the  members  previously  appointed  there- 
to ;  immediately  after  which,  the  bishop  who  is 
to  preside  shall  state  to  the  congregation  the 
design  of  their  meeting,  and  briefly  recite  the 
proceedings  of  the  presbytery  relative  thereto.. 
And  then,  addressing  hhnself  to  the  minister  ta 


FOHM    OP    GOVERNMENT.  447 

be  installed,  shall  propose  to  him  the  following 
or  similar  questions : 

1.  Are  you  now  willing  to  take  the  charge 
of  this  congregation,  as  their  pastor,  agreeably 
to  your  declaration  at  accepting  their  call  ? 

2.  Do  you  conscientiously  believe  and  de- 
clare, as  far  as  you  know  your  own  heart,  that 
in  taking  upon  you  this  charge,  you  are  influ- 
enced by  a  sincere  desire  to  promote  the  glory 
of  God,  and  the  good  of  his  church  ? 

3.  Do  you  solemnly  promise,  that,  by  the 
assistance  of  the  grace  of  God,  you  will  endea- 
vour faithfully  to  discharge  all  the  duties  of  a 
pastor  to  this  congregation^  and  will  be  care- 
ful to  maintain  a  deportment  in  all  respects 
becoming  a  minister  of  the  gospel  of  Christ, 
agreeably  to  your  ordination  engagements  ? 

To  all  these  having  received  satisfactory  an- 
swers, he  shall  propose  to  the  people  the  same 
or  like  questions  as  those  directed  under  the 
head  of  ordination ;  which,  having  been  also 
satisfactorily  answered,  by  holding  up  the  right 
hand  in  testimony  of  assent,  he  shall  solemnly 
pronounce  and  declare  the  said  minister  to  be 
regularly  constituted  the  pastor  of  that  congre- 
gation. A  charge  shall  then  be  given  to  both 
parties,  as  directed  in  the  case  of  ordination ; 
and,  after  prayer,  and  singing  a  psalm  adapted 
to  the  transaction,  the  congregation  shall  be 
dismissed  with  the  usual  benediction. 

VII.  It  is  highly  becoming,  that,  after  the 
solemnity  of  the  instalment,  the  heads  of  fami- 
lies of  that  congregation  who  are  then  present, 
or  at  least  the  elders,  and  those  appointed  to 


448  FORM    OF    GOVERNMENT. 

take  care  of  the  temporal  concerns  of  that 
churcli,  should  come  forward  to  their  pastor, 
and  give  him  their  right  hand,  in  token  of  cor- 
dial reception  and  affectionate  reg^ard. 


CHAPTER  XVII. 

OF    RESIGNING    A    PASTORAL    CHARGE. 

When  any  minister  shall  labour  under  such 
grievances  in  his  congregation,  as  that  he  shall 
desire  leave  to  resign  his  pastoral  charge,  the 
presbytery  shall  cite  the  congregation  to  ap- 
pear, by  their  commissioners,  at  their  next 
meeting,  to  show  cause,  if  any  they  have, 
why  the  presbytery  should  not  accept  the 
resignation.  If  the  congregation  fail  to  ap- 
pear, or  if  their  reasons  for  retaining  their  pas- 
tor be  deemed  by  the  presbytery  insufficient, 
he  shall  have  leave  granted  to  resign  his  pas- 
toral charge,  of  which  due  record  shall  be 
made;  and  that  church  shall  be  held  to  be 
vacant,  till  supplied  again,  in  an  orderly  man- 
ner, with  another  minister :  and  if  any  congre- 
gation shall  desire  to  be  released  from  their 
pastor,  a  similar  process,  mutatis  mutandis, 
shall  be  observed. 


FORM    OF    GOVERNMENT.  449 

CHAPTER  XVIII. 

OF    MISSIONS. 

When  vacancies  become  so  numerous  in  any 
presbytery  that  they  cannot  be  supplied  with 
the  frequent  administration  of  the  word  and 
ordinances,  it  shall  be  proper  for  such  presby- 
tery, or  any  vacant  congregation  within  their 
bounds,  with  th«  leave  of  the  presbytery,  to 
apply  to  any  other  presbytery,  or  to  any  synod, 
or  to  the  General  Assembly,  for  such  assistance 
as  they  can  afford.  And,  when  any  presby- 
tery shall  send  any  of  their  ministers  or  pro- 
bationers to  distant  vacancies,  the  missionary 
shall  be  ready  to  produce  his  credentials  to 
the  presbytery  or  presbyteries,  through  the 
bounds  of  which  he  may  pass,  or  at  least  to  a 
committee  thereof,  and  obtain  their  approba- 
tion. And  the  General  Assembly  may,  of 
their  own  knowledge,  send  missionaries  to 
any  part  to  plant  churches,  or  to  supply  va- 
cancies :  and,  for  this  purpose,  may  direct  any 
presbytery  to  ordain  evangelists,  or  ministers 
without  relation  to  particular  churches:  pro- 
vided always^  that  such  missions  be  made 
with  the  consent  of  the  parties  appointed;  and 
that  the  judicatory  sending  them,  make  the 
necessary  provision  for  their  support  and  re- 
ward in  the  performance  of  this  service. 


38* 


450  FORM    OF    GOVERNMENT. 

CHAPTER  XIX. 

OF  MODERATORS. 

I.  It  is  equally  necessary  in  the  judicatories 
of  the  church,  as  in  other  assemblies,  that  there 
should  be  a  moderator  or  president ;  that  the 
business  may  be  conducted  with  order  and 
despatch. 

II.  The  moderator  is  to  be  considered  as 
possessing,  by  delegation  from  the  whole  body, 
all  authority  necessary  for  the  preservation  of 
order ;  for  convening  and  adjourning  the  judi- 
catory ;  and  directing  its  operations  accord- 
ing to  the  rules  of  the  church.  He  is  to  pro- 
pose to  the  judicatory  every  subject  of  delibe- 
ration that  comes  before  them.  He  may  pro- 
pose what  appears  to  him  the  most  regular  and 
speedy  way  of  bringing  any  business  to  issue. 
He  shall  prevent  the  members  from  interrupt- 
ing each  other ;  and  require  them,  in  speaking, 
always  to  address  the  chair.  He  shall  prevent 
a  speaker  from  deviating  from  the  subject: 
and  from  using  personal  reflections.  He  shall 
silence  those  who  refuse  to  obey  order.  He 
shall  prevent  members  who  attempt  to  leave 
the  judicatory  without  leave  obtained  from 
him.  He  shall,  at  a  proper  season,  when  the 
deliberations  are  ended,  put  the  question  and 
call  the  votes.  If  the  judicatory  be  equally 
divided,  he  shall  possess  the  casting  vote.  If 
he  be  not  willing  to  decide,  he  shall  put  the 
question  a  second  time  ;  and  if  the  judicatory 
be  again  equally  divided,  and  he  decline  to 


FORM    OF    GOVERNMENT.  451 

give  his  vote,  the  question  shall  be  lost.  In  all 
questions  he  shall  give  a  concise  and  clear  state 
of  the  object  of  the  vote  ;  and  the  vote  being 
taken,  shall  then  declare  how  the  question  is 
decided.  And  he  shall  hkewise  be  empowered, 
on  any  extraordinary  emergency,  to  convene 
the  judicatory,  by  his  circular  letter,  before  the 
ordinary  time  of  meeting. 

III.  The  moderator  of  the  presbytery  shall 
be  chosen  from  year  to  year,  or  at  every  meet- 
ing of  the  presbytery,  as  the  presbytery  may 
think  best.  The  moderator  of  the  synod,  and 
of  the  General  Assembly,  shall  be  chosen  at 
each  meeting  of  those  judicatories :  and  the 
moderator,  or,  in  case  of  his  absence,  another 
member  appointed  for  the  purpose,  shall  open 
the  next  meeting  with  a  sermon,  and  shall  hold 
the  chair  till  a  new  moderator  be  chosen. 


CHAPTER  XX. 

OF    CLERKS. 

Every  judicatory  shall  choose  a  clerk,  to 
record  their  transactions,  whose  continuance 
shall  be  during  pleasure.  It  shall  be  the  duty 
of  the  clerk,  besides  recording  the  transactions, 
to  preserve  the  records  carefully;  and  to  grant 
extracts  from  them,  whenever  properly  re- 
quired :  and  such  extracts,  under  the  hand 
of  the  clerk,  shall  be  considered  as  authentic 
vouchers  of  the  fact  which  they  declare,  in 
any  ecclesiastical  judicatory,  and  to  every  part 
of  the  church. 


452  FORM    OP    GOVERNMENT. 


CHAPTER  XXI. 

OF    VACANT    CONGREGATIONS    ASSEMBLING   FOR 
PUBLIC    WORSHIP. 

Considering  the  great  importance  of  weekly 
assembling  the  people,  for  the  public  worship 
of  God ;  in  order  thereby  to  improve  their 
knowledge;  to  confirm  their  habits  of  wor- 
ship, and  their  desire  of  the  public  ordinances ; 
to  augment  their  reverence  for  the  most  high 
God  ;  and  to  promote  the  charitable  affections 
which  unite  men  most  firmly  in  society :  it  is 
recommended,  that  every  vacant  congregation 
meet  together,  on  the  Lord's  day,  at  one  or 
more  places,  for  the  purpose  of  prayer,  singing 
praises,  and  reading  the  holy  Scriptures,  toge- 
ther with  the  works  of  such  approved  divines, 
as  the  presbytery,  within  whose  bounds  they 
are,  may  recommend,  and  they  may  be  able  to 
procure ;  and  that  the  elders  or  deacons  be  the 
persons  who  shall  preside,  and  select  the  por- 
tions of  Scripture,  and  of  the  other  books  to  be 
read  ;  and  to  see  that  the  whole  be  conducted 
in  a  becoming  and  orderly  manner. 


CHAPTER  XXH. 

OF  COMMISSIONERS  TO  THE  GENERAL  ASSEMBLY 

I.  The  commissioners  to  the  General  Assem- 
bly shall  always  be  appointed  by  the  presbytery 


FORM    OF    GOVERNMENT.  453 

from  which  they  come,  at  its  last  stated  meet- 
ing, immediately  preceding  the  meeting  of  the 
General  Assembly;  provided,  that  there  be  a 
sufficient  interval  betw^een  that  time  and  the 
meetingoftheAssembly,for  their  commissioners 
to  attend  to  their  duty  in  due  season;  otherwise, 
the  presbytery  may  make  the  appointment  at 
any  stated  meeting,  not  more  than  seven  months 
preceding  the  meeting  of  the  Assembly.  And 
as  much  as  possible  to  prevent  all  failure  in  the 
representation  of  the  presbyteries,  arising  from 
unforeseen  accidents  to  those  first  appointed,  it 
may  be  expedient  for  each  presbytery,  in  the 
room  of  each  commissioner,  to  appoint  also  an 
alternate  commissioner  to  supply  his  place,  in 
case  of  necessary  absence. 

II.  Each  commissioner,  before  his  name  shall 
be  enrolled  as  a  member  of  the  Assembly,  shall 
produce  from  his  presbytery,  a  commission 
under  the  hand  of  the  moderator  and  clerk,  in 
the  following,  or  like  form  :  viz. 

"  The  presbytery  of  being  met  at 

"  on  the  day  of 

"  doth  hereby  appoint  bishop  of  the 

"  congregation  of  [or 

"  ruling  elder  in  the  congregation  of  as 

"  the  case  may  be  ;"]  (to  which  the  presbytery 
may,  if  they  think  proper,  make  a  substitution 
in  the  following  form)  "  or  in  case  of  his  absence, 
"  then  bishop  of  the  congregation  of 

"  [or  ruling  elder  in  the  con- 

•^  gregation  of  as  the  case  may  be  :] 

"  to  be  a  commissioner,  on  behalf  of  this  presby- 


454  FORM    OF    GOVERNMENT. 

"  tery,  to  the  next  General  Assembly  of  the  Pres- 
^•byterian  Church  hi  the  United  States  of 
*'  America,  to  meet  at  on  the 

"  day  of  A.  D.  or  wherever, 

"-  and  whenever  the  said  Assembly  may  happen 
''  to  sit ;  to  consult,  vote,  and  determine,  on  all 
"  things  that  may  come  before  that  body,  accord- 
"  ing  to  the  principles  and  constitution  of  this 
"church,  and  the  word  of  God.  And  of  his 
"  diligence  herein,  he  is  to  render  an  account  at 
"his  return. 

Signed  by  order  of  the  presbytery^ 

Moderator^ 
Clerk.'' 

And  the  presbytery  shall  make  record  of  the 
appointment. 

III.  In  order,  as  far  as  possible,  to  procure  a 
respectable  and  full  delegation  to  all  our  judi- 
catories, it  is  proper  that  the  expenses  of  minis- 
ters and  elders  in  their  attendance  on  these 
judicatories,  be  defrayed  by  the  bodies  which 
they  respectively  represent. 


BOOK  II. 

OF    DISCIPLINE. 


CHAPTER  L 

GENERAL    PRINCIPLES    OF    DISCIPLINE. 

I.  Discipline  is  the  exercise  of  that  authority^ 
and  the  application  of  that  system  of  laws, 
which  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ  hath  appointed  in 
his  church. 

II.  Tiie  exercise  of  discipUne  is  highly  im- 
portant and  necessary.  Its  ends  are^  the  re- 
moval of  offences  ;  the  vindication  of  the 
honour  of  Christ ;  the  promotion  of  the  purity 
and  general  edification  of  the  church;  and  also 
the  benefit  of  the  oflender  himself. 

III.  An  offence  is  any  thing  in  the  principles 
or  practice  of  a  church  member,  which  is  con- 
trary to  the  word  of  God ;  or  which,  if  it  be 
not  in  its  own  nature  sinful,  may  tempt  others 
to  sin,  or  mar  their  spiritual  edification. 

IV.  Nothing,  therefore,  ought  to  be  considered 
by  any  judicatory  as  an  offence,  or  admitted  as 
matter  of  accusation,  which  cannot  be  proved 
to  be  such  from  Scripture,  or  from  the  regula- 
tions and  practice  of  the  church,  founded  on 
Scripture ;  and  which  does  not  involve  those 
evils,  which  discipline  is  intended  to  pre- 
Yeat. 

455 


456  DISCIPLINE. 

y.  The  exercise  of  discipline  in  such  a  man- 
ner as  to  edify  the  church,  requires  not  only 
much  of  the  spirit  of  piety,  but  also  much 
prudence  and  discretion.  It  becomes  the  rulers 
of  the  church,  therefore,  to  take  into  view  all 
the  circumstances  which  may  give  a  different 
character  to  conduct,  and  render  it  more  or  less 
offensive ;  and  which  may,  of  course,  require 
a  very  different  mode  of  proceeding  in  similar 
cases,  at  different  times,  for  the  attainment  of 
the  same  end. 

VI.  All  baptized  persons  are  members  of 
the  church,  are  under  its  care,  and  subject  to 
its  government  and  discipline  :  and  when  they 
liave  arrived  at  the  years  of  discretion,  they  are 
bound  to  perform  all  the  duties  of  church  mem- 
bers. 

VII.  Offences  are  either  private  or  public  ; 
to  each  of  which,  appropriate  modes  of  pro- 
ceeding belong. 

CHAPTER  II. 

OF    PRIVATE    OFFENCES.  "el^J^   6 

I.  Private  offences  are  such  as  are  known 
only  to  an  individual,  or,  at  most,  to  a  very  few. 

II.  Private  offences  ought  not  to  be  imme- 
diately prosecuted  before  a  church  judicatory, 
because  the  objects  of  discipline  may  be  quite 
as  well,  and,  in  many  cases,  much  better  at- 
tained, by  a  different  course ;  and  because  a 
public  prosecution, in  such  circumstances,  would 
tend  unnecessarily  to  spread  the  knowledge  of 
offences,  to  exasperate  and  harden  offenders,  to 


DISCIPLINE.  457 

extend  angry  and  vexatious  litigation,  and  thus 
to  render  the  discipline  of  the  church  more 
injurious  than  the  original  olfence. 

III.  No  complaint  or  information,  on  the 
subject  of  personals  and  private^ injuries,  shall 
be  admitted,  unless  those  means  of  reconcilia- 
tion, and  of  privately  reclaiming  the  offender, 
have  been  used,  which  are  required  by  Christ, 
Matt,  xviii.  15,  16.  And  in  case  of  offences, 
which,  though  not  personal,  are  private.,, that 
is,  known  only  to  one,  or  a  very  few,  it  is  pro 
per  to  take  the  same  steps,  as  far  as  circum- 
stances admit. 

IV.  Those  who  bring  information  of  private 
and  personal  injuries  before  judicatories,  with- 
out having  taken  these  previous  steps,  shall 
themselves  be  censured,  as  guilty  of  an  offence 
against  the  peace  and  order  of  the  church. 

V.  If  any  person  shall  spread  the  knowledge 
of  an  offence,  unless  so  far  as  shall  be  unavoid- 
able, in  prosecuting  it  before  the  proper  judica- 
tory, or  in  the  due  performance  of  some  other 
indispensable  duty,  he  shall  be  liable  to  cen- 
sure, as  a  slanderer  of  his  brethren. 


CHAPTER  III. 

or    PUBLIC    OFFENCES. 

I.  A  PUBLIC  offence  is  that  which  is  attended 
with  such  circumstances  as  to  require  the  cog- 
nizance of  a  church  judicatory. 

II.  This  is  always  the  case  when  an  offence 

39 


/ 


458  DISCIPLINE. 

is  either  so  notorious  and  scandalous,  as  that 
no  private  steps  would  obviate  its  injurious 
effects ;  or  when,  though  originally  known  to 
one,  or  a  few,  the  private  steps  have  been  in- 
effectual, and  there  is,  obviously,  no  way  of 
removing  the  offence,  but  Ty  meafl^of  a  judi- 
cial process. 

III.  An  offence,  gross  in  itself,  and  known  to 
several,  may  be  so  circumstanced,  that  it  plainly 
cannot  be  prosecuted  to  conviction.  In  such 
cases^hbwever  grievous  i't  maybe  to  the  pious-, 
to  see  an  unworthy  member  in  the  church,  it  is 
proper  to  wait  until  God,  in  his  righteous  pro- 
vidence, shall  give  further  hght ;  as  few  things 
tend  more  to  weaken  the  authority  of  disci- 
pline, and  to  multiply  offences,  than  to  com- 
mence process  without  sufficient  proof. 

IV.  When  any  person  is  charged  with  a 
crime,  not  by  an  individual,  or  individuals, 
coming  forward  as  accusers,  but  by  general 
rumour,  the  previous  steps  prescribed  by  our 
Lord  in  case  of  private  offences,  are  not  neces- 
sary; but  the  proper  judicatory  is  bound  to 
take  immediate  cognizance  of  the  affair. 

V.  In  order  to  render  an  offence  proper  for 
the  cognizance  of  a  judicatory  on  this  ground, 
the  rumour  must  specify  some  particular  sin  or 
sins;  it  must  be  general,  or  widely  spread ;  it 
must  not  be  transient,  but  permanent,  and  rather 
gaining  strength  than  declining :  and  it  must 
be  accompanied  with  strong  presumption  of 
truth.  Taking  up  charges  on  this  ground,  of 
course,  requires  great  caution,  and  the  exercise 
of  much  Christian  prudence. 


DISCIPLINE.  459 

VL  It  may  happen,  however,  that  in  conse- 
quence of  a  report,  which  does  not  fully  amount 
to  a  general  rumour,  as  just  described,  a  slan- 
dered individual  may  request  a  judicial  inves- 
tigation, whicl]  it  may  be  the  duty  of  the  judi- 
catory to  institute. 


CHAPTER  IV. 


OF    ACTUAL    PROCESS. 


I.  When  all  other  means  of  removing  an 
offence  have  failed,  the  judicatory  to  w^hich 
cognizance  of  it  properly  belongs,  shall  judi- 
cially take  it  into  consideration. 

II.  There  are  two  modes  in  which  an  offence 
may  be  brought  before  a  judicatory  :  either  by 
an  individual  or  individuals,  who  appear  as 
accusers,  and  undertake  to  substantiate  the 
charge  ;  or  by  common  fame. 

III.  In  the  former  case,  process  must  be 
pursued  in  the  name  of  the  accuser  or  ac- 
cusers. In  the  latter,  there  is  no  need  of 
naming  any  person  as  the  accuser.  Common 
fame  is  the  accuser.  Yet  a  general  rumour 
may  be  raised  by  the  rashness,  censoriousness, 
or  malice,  of  one  or  more  individuals.  When 
this  appears  to  have  been  the  case,  such  indi- 
viduals ought  to  be  censured  in  proportion  to 
the  degree  of  criminality  which  appears  at- 
tached to  their  conduct. 

IV.  Great  caution  ought  to  be  exercised  in 
receiving  accusations  from  any  person  who  is 


460  DISCIPLINE. 

known  to  indulge  a  malignant  spirit  towards 
the  accused ;  wlio  is  not  of  good  character ; 
who  is  himself  under  censure  or  process ;  who 
is  deeply  interested,  in  any  respect,  in  the  con- 
viction of  the  accused;  or  who  is  known  to  be 
litigious,  rash,  or  highly  imprudent. 

V.  When  a  judicatory  enters  on  the  consid- 
eration of  a  crime  or  crimes  alleged,  no  more 
shall  be  done,  at  the  first  meeting,  unless  by 
consent  of  parties,  than  to  give  the  accused  a 
copy  of  each  charge  with  the  names  of  the  wit- 
nesses to  support  it ;  and  to  cite  all  concerned 
to  appear  at  the  next  meeting  of  the  judicatory, 
to  have  the  matter  fully  heard  and  decided. 
Notice  shall  be  given  to  the  parties  concerned, 
at  least  ten  days  previously  to  the  meeting  of 
the  judicatory. 

VI.  The  citations  shall  be  issued  and  signed 
by  the  moderator  or  clerk,  by  order,  and  in  the 
name  of  the  judicatory.  He  shall  also  furnish 
citations  for  such  witnesses  as  the  accused  shall 
nominate,  to  appear  on  his  behalf. 

VII.  Although  it  is  required  that  the  accused 
be  informed  of  the  names  of  all  the  witnesses 
who  are  to  be  adduced  against  him,  at  least  ten 
days  before  the  time  of  trial,  (unless  he  consent 
to  waive  the  right  and  proceed  immediately)  it 
is  not  necessary  that  he,  on  his  part,  give  a 
similar  notice  to  the  judicatory  of  all  the  wit- 
nesses intended  to  be  adduced  by  him  for  his 
exculpation. 

VIII.  In  exhibiting  charges,  the  times,  places, 
and  circumstances  should,  if  possible,  be  ascer- 
tained and  stated,  that  the  accused  may  have 


DISCIPLINE.  461 

an  opportunity  to  prove  an  alibi,  or  to  extenu- 
ate or  alleviate  his  offence. 

IX.  The  judicatory,  in  many  cases,  may  find 
it  more  for  edification,  to  send  some  members 
to  converse,  in  a  private  manner,  with  the  ac- 
cused person  ;  and  if  he  confess  guilt,  to  endea- 
vour to  bring  him  to  repentance,  than  to  pro- 
ceed immediately  to  citation. 

X.  When  an  accused  person,  or  a  witness, 
refuses  to  obey  the  citation,  he  shall  be  cited 
a  second  time;  and  if  he  still  continue  to 
refuse,  he  shall  be  excluded  from  the  com 
munion  of  the  church,  for  his  contumacy,  unti; 
he  repent. 

XI.  Although,  on  the  first  citation,  the  per 
son  cited  shall  declare  in  writing,  or  otherwise 
his  fixed  determination  not  to  obey  it ;  thi? 
declaration  shall,  in  no  case,  induce  the  judi 
catory  to  deviate  from  the  regular  course  pre 
scribed  for  citations.  They  shall  proceed  as  if 
no  such  declaration  had  been  made.  The  per 
son  cited  may  afterwards  alter  his  mind. 

XII.  The  time  which  must  elapse  between 
the  first  citation  of  an  accused  person,  or  a 
witness,  and  the  meeting  of  the  judicatory  at 
which  he  is  to  appear,  is  at  least  ten  days.  But 
the  time  allotted  for  his  appearance  in  the  sub- 
sequent citation  is  left  to  the  discretion  of  the 
judicatory  ;  provided  always,  however,  that  it 
be  not  less  than  is  quite  suificient  for  a  season- 
able and  convenient  compliance  with  the  cita- 
tion. 

XIII.  The  second  citation  ought  always  to 
be  accompanied  with  a  notice,  that  if  the  per- 

39* 


462  DISCIPLINE. 

son  cited  do  not  appear  at  the  time  appointed, 
the  judicatory,  besides  censuring  him  for  his 
contumacy,  will,  after  assigning  some  person 
to  manage  his  defence,  proceed  to  take  the  tes- 
timony in  his  case,  as  if  he  were  present. 

XIV.  Judicatories,  before  proceeding  to  trial, 
ought  to  ascertain  that  their  citations  have  been 
duly  served  on  the  persons  for  whom  they  were 
intended,  and  especially  before  they  proceed  to 
ultimate  measures  for  contumacy. 

XV.  The  trial  shall  be  fair  and  impartial. 
The  witnesses  shall  be  examined  in  the  pre- 
sence of  the  accused ;  or,  at  least,  after  he  shall 
have  received  due  citation  to  attend ;  and  he 
shall  be  permitted  to  ask  any  questions  tending 
to  his  own  exculpation. 

XVI.  The  judgment  shall  be  regularly  en- 
tered on  the  records  of  the  judicatory:  and  the 
parties  shall  be  allowed  copies  of  the  w'HoTe*~! 
proceedings,   at   their   own    expense,  if   they  ^. 
demand  them.     And  in  case  of  references  or 

'appears,^tTie"judicatory  referring,  or  appealed 
from,  shall  send  authentic  copies  of  the  whole 
process  to  the  higher  judicatory. 

XVIL  The  person  found  guilty  shall  be  ad- 
monished or  rebuked,  or  excluded  from  church 
privileges,  as  the  case  shall  appear  to  deserve, 
until  he  give  satisfactory  evidence  of  repent- 
ance. 

XVIII.  As  cases  may  arise  in  which  many 
days,  or  even  weeks,  may  intervene  before  it  | 
is  practicable  to  commence  process  against  an 
accused  church  member,  the  session  may,  in  \ 
such  cases,  and  ought,  if  they  think  the  edifi-  1 


) 


DISCIPLINE.  463 

cation  of  the  church  requires  it,  to  prevent  the 
accused  person  from  approaching  the  Lord's 
table  until  the  charge  against  him  can  be  ex- 
amined. 

XIX.  The  sentence  shall  be  published  only 
m  the  church  or  churches  which  have  been 
offended.  Or,  if  the  offence  be  of  small  im- 
portance, and  such  as  it  shall  appear  most  for 
edification  not  to  publish,  the  sentence  may- 
pass  only  in  the  judicatory. 

XX.  Such  gross  offenders  as  will  not  be  re- 
claimed by  the  private  or  public  admonitions 
of  the  church,  are  to  be  cut  off  from  its  com- 
munion, agreeably  to  our  Lord's  direction, 
Matt,  xviii.  17.  And  the  apostolical  injunc- 
tion respecting  the  incestuous  person,  1  Cor.  v. 
1  to  5. 

XXI.  No  professional  counsel  shall  be  per- 
mitted to  appear  and  plead  in  cases  of  process 
in  any  of  our  ecclesiastical  courts.  But  if  any 
accused  person  feel  unable  to  represent  and 
plead  his  own  cause  to  advantage,  he  may  re- 
quest any  minister  or  elder,  belonging  to  the 
judicatory  before  which  he  appears,  to  prepare 
and  exhibit  his  cause  as  he  may  judge  proper. 
But  the  minister  or  elder  so  engaged,  shall  not 
be  allowed,  after  pleading  the  cause  of  the  ac- 
cused, to  sit  in  judgment  as  a  member  of  the 
judicatory. 

XXII.  Questions  of  order,  which  arise  in  the 
course  of  process,  shall  be  decided  by  the  mo- 
derator. If  an  appeal  is  made  from  the  chair, 
the  question  on  the  appeal  shall  be  taken  with- 
out debate. 


464  DISCIPLINE. 

XXIII.  In  recording  the  proceedings,  in 
cases  of  judicial  process,  the  reasons  for  all  de- 
cisions, except  on  questions  of  order,  shall  be 
recorded  at  length ;  that  the  record  may  ex- 
hibit every  thing  which  had  an  influence  on 
the  judgment  of  the  court.  And  nothing  but 
what  is  contained  in  the  record,  may  be  taken 
into  consideration  in  reviewing  the  proceedings 
in  a  superior  court. 


CHAPTER  V. 

OF    PROCESS    AGAINST    A    BISHOP    OR    MINISTER. 

I.  As  the  honour  and  success  of  the  gospel 
depend,  in  a  great  measure,  on  the  character 
of  its  ministers,  each  presbytery  ought,  with 
the  greatest  care  and  impartiality,  to  watch 
over  the  personal  and  professional  conduct  of 
all  its  members.  But  as,  on  the  one  hand,  no 
minister  ought,  on  account  of  his  office,  to  be 
screened  from  the  hand  of  justice,  nor  his  of- 
fences to  be  slightly  censured  ;  so  neither  ought 
scandalous  charges  to  be  received  against  him, 
by  any  judicatory,  on  slight  grounds. 

II.  Process  against  a  gospel  minister  shall 
always  be  entered  before  the  presbytery  of 
which  he  is  a  member.  And  the  same  can- 
dour, caution,  and  general  method,  substituting 
only  the  presbytery  for  the  session,  are  to  be 
observed  in  investigating  charges  against 
him,  as  are  prescribed  in  the  case  of  private 
members. 


DISCIPLINE.  465 

III.  If  ii  be  found  that  the  facts  with  which 
IX  minister  stands  charged,  happened  without 
ihe  bounds  of  his  own  presbytery,  that  presby- 
tery shall  send  notice  to  the  presbytery  within 
whose  bounds  they  did  happen :  and  desire 
them  either  (if  within  convenient  distance)  to 
cite  the  witnesses  to  appear  at  the  place  of 
trial ;  or  (if  the  distance  be  so  great  as  to  ren- 
der that  inconvenient)  to  take  the  examination 
themselves,  and  transmit  an  authentic  record 
of  their  testimony :  always  giving  due  notice 
to  the  accused  person  of  the  time  and  place  of 
such  examination. 

ly.  Nevertheless,  in  case  of  a  minister  being 
supposed  to  be  guilty  of  a  crime,  or  crimes,  at 
such  a  distance  from  his  usual  place  of  resi- 
dence, as  that  the  offence  is  not  likely  to  be- 
come otherwise  known  to  the  presbytery  to 
which  he  belongs ;  it  shall,  in  such  case,  be  the 
duty  of  the  presbytery  within  whose  bounds 
the  facts  shall  have  happened,  after  satisfying 
themselves  that  there  is  probable  ground  of  ac- 
cusation, to  send  notice  to  the  presbytery  of 
which  he  is  a  member,  who  are  to  proceed 
against  him,  and  either  send  and  take  the  testi- 
mony themselves,  by  a  commission  of  their  own 
body,  or  request  the  other  presbytery  to  take  it 
for  them,  and  transmit  the  same,  properly  au- 
thenticated. 

V.  Process  against  a  gospel  minister  shall 
not  be  commenced,  unless  some  person  or  per- 
sons undertake  to  make  out  the  charge  ;  or  un- 
less common  fame  so  loudly  proclaims  the 
scandal,  that  the  presbytery  find  it  necessary. 


466  DISCIPLINE. 

for  the  lionoiir  of  religion,  to  investigate  the 
charge. 

VI.  As  the  success  of  the  gospel  greatly  de- 
pends upon  the  exemplary  character  of  its 
ministers,  their  soundness  in  the  faith,  and  holy 
conversation ;  and  as  it  is  the  duty  of  all 
Christians  to  be  very  cautious  in  taking  up  an 
ill  report  of  any  man,  but  especially  of  a  min- 
ister of  the  gospel ;  therefore,  if  any  man  knows 
a  minister  to  be  guilty  of  a  private,  censurable 
fault,  he  should  warn  him  in  private.  But  if 
the  guilty  person  persist  in  his  fault,  or  it  be- 
come public,  he  who  knows  it  should  apply  to 
some  other  bishop  of  the  presbytery  for  his  ad- 
vice in  the  case. 

VII.  The  prosecutor  of  a  minister  shall  be 
previously  warned,  that  if  he  fail  to  prove  the 
charges,  he  must  himself  be  censured  as  a  slan- 
derer of  the  gospel  ministry,  in  proportion  to 
the  malignancy  or  rashness  that  shall  appear  in 
the  prosecution. 

VIII.  When  complaint  is  laid  before  the 
presbytery,  it  must  be  reduced  to  writing  ;  and 
nothing  fiuther  is  to  be  done  at  the  first  meet- 
ing, (unless  by  consent  of  parties)  than  giving 
the  minister  a  full  copy  of  the  charges,  with  the 
names  of  the  witnesses  annexed ;  and  citing  all 
parties,  and  their  witnesses,  to  appear  and  be 
heard  at  the  next  meeting;  which  meeting 
shall  not  be  sooner  than  ten  days  after  such 
citation. 

IX.  When  a  member  of  a  church  judicatory 
IS  under  process,  it  shall  be  discretionary  with 
the  judicatory  whether  his  privileges  of  de- 


DISCIPLINE.  467 

liberating  and  voting,  as  a  member,  in  other 
matters,  shall  be  suspended  until  the  process  is 
finally  issued,  or  not. 

X.  At  the  next  meeting  of  the  presbytery, 
the  charges  shall  be  read  to  him,  and  he  shall 
be  called  upon  to  say  whether  he  is  guilty  or 
not.  If  he  confess,  and  the  matter  be  base  and 
flagitious;  such  as  drunkenness,  uncleanness, 
or  crimes  of  a  higher  nature,  however  penitent 
he  may  appear,  to  the  satisfaction  of  all,  the 
presbytery  must,  without  delay,  suspend  him 
from  the  exercise  of  his  office,  or  depose  him 
from  the  ministry  ;  and,  if  the  way  be  clear  for 
the  purpose,  appoint  him  a  due  time  to  confess 
publicly  before  the  congregation  offended,  and 
to  profess  his  penitence. 

XI.  If  a  minister  accused  of  atrocious  crimes, 
being  twice  duly  cited,  shall  refuse  t^  attend 
the  presbytery,  he  shall  be  immediately  sus- 
pended. And  if,  after  another  citation,  he  still 
refuse  to  attend,  he  shall  be  deposed  as  contu- 
macious. 

XII.  If  the  minister,  when  he  appears,  will 
not  confess ;  but  denies  the  facts  alleged  against 
him ;  if,  on  hearing  the  witnesses,  the  charges 
appearjmportant,  and  well  supported,  the  pres- 
bytery must,  nevertheless,  censure  him ;  and 
admonish,  suspend,  or  depose  him,  according 
to  the  nature  of  the  offence. 

XIII.  Heresy  and  schism  may  be  of  such  a 
nature  as  to  infer  deposition ;  but  errors  ought 
to  be  carefully  considered ;  whether  they  strike 
at  the  vitals  of  religion,  and  are  industriously 
spread  ;  or,  whether  they  arise  from  the  weak 


468  DISCIPLINE. 

ness  of  the  human  understanding,  and  are  not 
likely  to  do  much  injury. 

XIV.  A  minister  under  process  for  heresy 
or  schism,  should  be  treated  with  Christian  and 
brotherly  tenderness.  Frequent  conferences 
ought  to  be  held  with  him,  and  proper  admo- 
nitions administered.  For  some  more  danger- 
ous errors,  however,  suspension  may  become 
necessary. 

XV.  If  the  presbytery  find,  on  trial,  that  the 
matter  complained  of  amounts  to  no  more  than 
such  acts  of  infirmity  as  may  be  amended,  and 
the  people  satisfied ;  so  that  little  or  nothing 
remains  to  hinder  his  usefulness,  they  shall  take 
all  prudent  measures  to  remove  the  offence. 

XVI.  A  minister  deposed  for  scandalous 
conduct,  shall  not  be  restored,  even  on  the 
deepest  sorroAV  for  his  sin,  until  after  some 
time  of  eminent  and  exemplary,  humble  and 
edifying  conversation,  to  heal  the  wound  made 
by  his  scandal.  And  he  ought  in  no  case  to 
be  restored,  until  it  shall  appear,  that  the  senti- 
ments of  the  religious  public  are  strongly  in  his 
favour,  and  demand  his  restoration. 

XVII.  As  soon  as  a  minister  is  deposed,  his 
congregation  shall  be  declared  vacant. 


CHAPTER  VI. 

OF    WITNESSES. 

I.  Judicatories  ought  to  be  very  careful 
ind  impartial  in  receiving  testimony.     All  per- 


DISCIPLINE.  469 

sons  are  not  competent  as  witnesses;  and  all 
who  are  competent  are  not  credible. 

II.  A  competent  witness  is  one  who  ought 
to  be  admitted  and  heard.  The  competency 
of  a  witness  may  be  affected  by  his  want  of 
the  proper  age  ;  by  a  want  of  any  of  the  senses 
essential  to  a  knowledge  of  the  matter  which 
he  is  called  to  establish ;  by  weakness  of  un- 
derstanding ;  by  infamy  of  character ;  by  being 
under  church  censure  for  falsehood  or  perjury  ; 
by  nearness  of  relationship  to  any  of  the  par- 
ties ;  and  by  a  variety  of  considerations  which 
cannot  be  specified  in  detail. 

III.  Where  there  is  room  for  doubt  with  re- 
gard to  any  of  these  points,  either  party  has  a 
right  to  challenge  witnesses  ;  and  the  judicatory 
shall  candidly  attend  to  the  exceptions,  and 
decide  upon  them. 

IV.  The  credibility  of  a  witness,  or  the  de- 
gree of  credit  due  to  his  testimony,  may  be  af- 
fected by  relationship  to  any  of  the  parties ;  by 
deep  interest  in  the  result  of  the  trial ;  by 
general  rashness,  indiscretion,  or  malignity  of 
character  ;  and  by  various  other  circumstances  ; 
to  which  judicatories  shall  carefully  attend,  and 
for  which  they  shall  make  all  proper  allowance 
in  their  decision. 

V.  A  husband  or  wife  shall  not  be  com- 
pelled to  bear  testimony  against  each  other  in 
any  judicatory. 

VI.  The  testimony  of  more  than  one  witness 
is  necessary  in  order  to  establish  any  charge ; 
yet  if  several  credible  witnesses  bear  testimony 
to  different  ^emzVar  acts,  belonging  to  the  same 


470  DISCIPLINE. 

general  charge,  the  crime  shall  be  considered 
as  proved.  ^ 

YII.  No  witness,  afterward  to  be  examined, 
except  a  member  of  the  judicatory,  shall  be 
present  during  the  examination  of  another 
witness  on  the  same  case,  unless  by  consent  of 
parties. 

VIII.  To  prevent  confusion,  witnesses  shall 
be  examined  first  by  the  party  introducing  them, 
then  cross-examined  by  the  opposite  party  : 
after  which  any  member  of  the  judicatory,  or 
either  party,  may  put  additional  interrogatories. 
But  no  question  shall  be  put  or  answered,  ex- 
cept by  permission  of  the  moderator. 

IX.  The  oath  or  affirmation  to  a  witness, 
shall  be  administered  by  the  moderator,  in  the 
following  or  like  terms  :  "  You  solemnly  pro- 
"  mise,  in  the  presence  of  the  omniscient  and 
^'  heart-searching  God,  that  you  will  declare  the 
''  truth,  the  whole  truth,  and  nothing  but  the 
"  truth,  according  to  the  best  of  your  knowledge, 
'^  in  the  matter  in  which  you  are  called  to  wit- 
"  ness,  as  you  shall  answer  it  to  the  great  Judge 
"  of  quick  and  dead.'^ 

X.  Every  question  put  to  a  witness  shall,  if 
required,  be  reduced  to  writing.  When  an- 
swered, it  shall,  together  with  the  answer,  be 
recorded,  if  deemed  by  either  party  of  sufficient 
importance. 

XI.  The  records  of  a  judicatory,  or  any  part 
of  them,  whether  original  or  transcribed,  if  re- 
gularly authenticated  by  the  moderator  and 
clerk,  or  either  of  them,  shall  be  deemed  good 
and  sufficient  evidence  inevery  other  judicatory. 

"^J^/SM,  ^/i«./^^  (AU.  /er^,  /'v*  ^^ 


DISCIPLINE.  471 

XII.  In  like  manner,  testimony  taken  by  one 
judicatory,  and  regularly  certified,  shall  be  re- 
ceived by  every  other  judicatory,  as  no  less 
valid  than  if  it  had  been  taken  by  themselves. 

XIII.  Cases  may  arise  in  which  it  is  not  con- 
venient for  a  judicatory  to  have  the  whole,  or, 
perhaps,  any  part  of  the  testimony  in  a  parti- 
cular cause,  taken  in  their  presence.  In  this 
case  a  commission  of  the  judicatory,  consisting 
of  two  or  three  members,  may  be  appointed, 
and  authorized  to  proceed  to  the  place  where 
the  witness  or  witnesses  reside,  and  take  the 
testimony  in  question,  which  shall  be  considered 
as  if  taken  in  the  presence  of  the  judicatory  : 
of  which  commission,  and  of  the  time  and  place 
of  their  meeting,  due  notice  shall  be  given  to 
the  opposite  party,  that  he  may  have  an  oppor- 
tunity of  attending.  And  if  the  accused  shall 
desire  on^  his  part  to  take  testimony  at  a  dis- 
tance, for  his  own  exculpation,  he  shall  give 
notice  to  the  judicatory  of  the  time  and  place 
when  it  is  proposed  to  take  it,  that  a  commis- 
sion, as  in  the  former  case,  may  be  appointed 
for  the  purpose. 

XIV.  When  the  witnesses  have  all  been  ex- 
amined, the  accused  and  the  prosecutor  shall 
have  the  privilege  of  commenting  on  their  tes- 
timony to  any  reasonable  extent. 

XV.  A  member  of  the  judicatory  may  be 
called  upon  to  bear  testimony  in  a  case  which 
comes  before  it.  He  shall  be  qualified  as  other 
witnesses  are  ;  and  after  having  given  his  testi 
mony,  he  may  immediately  resume  his  seat  as 
a  member  of  the  judicatory. 


472  DISCIPLINE. 

XVI.  A  member  of  the  church  summoned 
as  a  witness,  and  refusing  to  appear,  or,  having 
appeared,  refusing  to  give  testimony,  may  be 
censured  for  contumacy,  according  to  the  cir- 
cumstances of  the  case. 

XVII.  The  testimony  given  by  witnesses, 
must  be  faithfully  recorded,  and  read  to  them, 
for  their  approbation  or  subscription. 


CHAPTER  VII. 

OF  THE  VARIOUS  WAYS  IN  WHICH  A  CAUSE  MAY 
BE  CARRIED  FROM  A  LOWER  JUDICATORY  TO 
A  HIGHER. 

I.  In  all  governments  conducted  by  men, 
wrong  may  be  done,  from  ignorance,  from 
prejudice,  from  malice,  or  from  other  causes. 
To  prevent  the  continued  existence  of  this 
wrong,  is  one  great  design  of  superior  judica- 
tories. And  although  there  must  be  a  last  re- 
sort, beyond  which  there  is  no  appeal ;  yet  the 
security  against  permanent  wrong  will  be  as 
great  as  the  nature  of  the  case  admits,  when 
those  who  had  no  concern  in  the  origin  of  the 
proceedings,  are  brought  to  review  them,  and 
to  annul  or  conjirm  them,  as  they  see  cause ; 
when  a  greater  number  of  counsellors  are  made 
to  sanction  the  judgments,  or  to  correct  the 
errors  of  a  smaller;  and,  finally,  when  the 
whole  church  is  called  to  sit  in  judgment  on 
the  acts  of  a  part. 

II.  Every  kind  of  decision  which  is  formed 
in  any  church  judicatory,  except  the  highest,  is 


DISCIPLINE.  47 


subject  to  the  review  of  a  superior  judicatory, 
and  may  be  carried  before  it  in  one  or  the  other 
of  the  four  following  ways. 


SECTION  I. 

GENERAL  REVIEW  AND  CONTROL. 

I.  It  is  the  duty  of  every  judicatory  above 
a  church  session,  at  least  once  a  year,  to  review 
the  records  of  the  proceedings  of  the  judicatory 
next  below.  And  if  any  lower  judicatory  shall 
omit  to  send  up  its  records  for  this  purpose,  the 
higher  may  issue  an  order  to  produce  them, 
either  immediately,  or  at  a  particular  time,  as 
circumstances  may  require. 

II.  In  reviewing  the  records  of  an  inferior 
judicatory,  it  is  proper  to  examine.  First, 
Whether  the  proceedings  have  been  constitu- 
tional and  regular :  Secondly,  Whether  they 
have  been  wise,  equitable,  and  for  the  edifica- 
tion of  the  church ;  Thirdly,  Whether  they 
have  been  correctly  recorded. 

III.  In  most  cases  the  superior  judicatory 
may  be  considered  as  fulfilling  its  duty,  by 
simply  recording,  on  its  own  minutes,  the 
animadversion  or  censure  which  it  may  think 
proper  to  pass  on  records  under  review;  and 
also  by  making  an  entry  of  the  same  in  the 
book  reviewed.  But  it  may  be  that,  in  the 
course  of  review,  cases  of  irregular  proceedings 
may  be  found  so  disreputable  and  injurious  as 
to  demand  the  interference  of  the  superior 
judicatory.     In  cases  of  this  kind  the  inferior 

40* 


474  DISCIPLINE. 

judicatory  may  be  required  to  review  and  cor- 
rect its  proceedings. 

TV.  No  judicial  decision,  however,  of  a  judi- 
catory shall  be  reversed,  unless  it  be  regularly 
brought  up  by  appeal  or  complaint. 

V.  Judicatories  may  sometimes  entirely  neg- 
lect to  perform  their  duty;  by  which  neglect, 
heretical  opinions  or  corrupt  practices  may  be 
allowed  to  gain  ground  ;  or  offenders  of  a  very 
gross  character  may  be  suffered  to  escape:  or 
some  circumstances  in  their  proceedings,  of 
very  great  irregularity,  may  not  be  distinctly 
recorded  by  them.  In  any  of  which  cases, 
their  records  will  by  no  means  exhibit  to  the 
superior  judicatory  a  full  view  of  their  proceed- 
ings. If,  therefore,  the  superior  judicatory  be 
well  advised,  by  comrnoii  fame,  Xhd^i  such  neg- 
"ects  or  irregularities  have  occurred  on  the  part 
of  the  inferior  judicatory,  it  is  incumbent  on 
them  to  take  cognizance  of  the  same ;  and  to 
examine,  deliberate,  and  judge  in  the  whole 
matter,  as  completely  as  if  it  had  been  re- 
corded, and  thus  brought  up  by  the  review  of 
the  records. 

VI.  When  any  important  delinquency,  or 
grossly  unconstitutional  proceedings,  appear  in 
the  records  of  any  judicatory,  or  are  charged 
against  them  by  common  fame,  the  first  step 
to  be  taken  by  the  judicatory  next  above,  is  to 
cite  the  judicatory  alleged  to  have  offended,  to 
appear  at  a  specified  time  and  place,  and  to 
show  what  it  has  done,  or  failed  to  do  in  the 
case  in  question:  after  which  the  judicatory 
thus  issuing  the  citation,  shall  remit  the  whole 


DISCIPLINE.  475 

matter  to  the  delinquent  judicatory,  with  a 
direction  to  take  it  up,  and  dispose  of  it  in  a 
constitutional  manner,  or  stay  all  further  pro- 
ceedings in  the  case,  as  circumstances  may 
require. 


SECTION  II. 

OF  REFERENCES. 

I.  A  REFERENCE  is  a  judicial  representation, 
made  by  an  inferior  judicatory  to  a  superior, 
of  a  case  not  yet  decided ;  which  representa- 
tion ought  always  to  be  in  writing. 

II.  Cases  which  are  new,  important,  difficult, 
of  peculiar  delicacy,  the  decision  of  which  may 
establish  principles  or  precedents  of  extensive 
influence,  on  which  the  sentiments  of  the  infe- 
rior judicatory  are  greatly  divided,  or  on  which, 
for  any  reason,  it  is  highly  desirable  that  a 
larger  body  should  first  decide,  are  proper  sub- 
jects of  reference. 

III.  References  are  either  for  mere  advice, 
preparatory  to  a  decision  by  the  inferior  judi- 
catory; or  for  ultimate  trial  and  decision  by  the 
superior. 

IV.  In  the  former  case,  the  reference  only 
suspends  the  decision  of  the  judicatory  from 
which  it  comes :  in  the  latter  case,  it  totally 
relinquishes  the  decision,  and  submits  the  whole 
cause  to  the  final  judgment  of  the  superior 
judicatory. 

V.  Although  references  may  in  some  cases,  as 
before  stated,  be  highly  proper ;  yet  it  is,  gene- 


476  UISCIPLINE. 

rally  speaking,  more  conducive  to  the  public 
good,  that  each  judicatory  should  fulfil  its  duty 
by  exercising  its  judgment. 

VI.  Although  a  reference  ought,  generally, 
to  procure  advice  from  the  superior  judicatory ; 
yet  that  judicatory  is  not  necessarily  bound  to 
give  a  final  judgment  in  the  case,  even  if  re- 
quested to  do  so ;  but  may  remit  the  whole 
cause,  either  with  or  without  advice,  back  to 
the  judicatory  by  which  it  was  referred. 

VII.  In  cases  of  reference,  the  members  of 
the  inferior  judicatory  making  it,  retain  all  the 
privileges  of  deliberating  and  voting,  in  the 
course  of  trial  and  judgment  before  the  supe- 
rior judicatory,  which  they  would  have  had, 
if  no  reference  had  been  made. 

VIII.  References  are,  generally,  to  be  car- 
ried to  the  judicatory  immediately  superior. 

IX.  In  cases  of  reference,  the  judicatory  re- 
ferring ought  to  have  all  the  testimony^  and 
other  documents,  duly  prepared,  produced,  and 
in  perfect  readiness ;  so  that  the  superior  judi- 
catory may  be  able  to  consider  and  issue  the 
case  with  as  little  difficulty  or  delay  as  possible. 


SECTION  III. 

OF   APPEALS. 


I.  An  appeal  is  the  removal  of  a  cause 
already  decided,  from  an  inferior  to  a  superior 
judicatory,  by  a  party  aggrieved. 

II.  All  persons  who  have  submitted  to  a 


DISCIPLINE.  477 

jregular  trial  in  an  inferior,  may  appeal  to  a 

jhigher  judicatory. 

:     III.  Any  irregularity  in  the  proceedings  of 

.the  inferior  judicatory;  a  refusal  of  reasonable 
/indulgence  to  a  party  on  trial;  declining  to 
/  receive  important  testimony;  hurrying  to  a 
\  decision  before  the  testimony  is  fully  taken; 
\  a  manifestation  of  prejudice  in  the  case;  and 
I  mistake  or  injustice  in  the  decision — are  all 

■  proper  groimds  nf  appeal. 

IV.  Appeals  may  be,  either  from  a  part  of 
the  proceedings  of  a  judicatory,  or  from  a  defi- 
nitive sentence. 

V.  Every  appellant  is  bound  to  give  notice 
of  his  intention  to  appeal,  and  also  to  lay  the 
reasons  thereof,  in  writing,  before  the  judica- 
tory appealed  from,  either  before  its  rising,  or 
within  ten  days  thereafter.  If  this  notice,  or 
these  reasons,  be  not  given  to  the  judicatory 
while  in  session,  they  shall  be  lodged  with  the 
moderator. 

YI.  Appeals  are  generally  to  be  carried  in 
regular  gradation,  from  an  inferior  judicatory 
to  the  one  immediately  superior.' 

VII.  The  appellant  shall  lodge  his  appeal, 
and  the  reasons  of  it,  with  the  clerk  of  the 
higher  judicatory,  before  the  close  of  the  second 
day  of  their  session. 

VIII.  In  taking  up  an  appeal,  after  ascer- 
taining that  the  appellant  on  his  part  has  con- 
ducted it  regularly,  the  Jirst  step  shall  be  to 
read  the  sentence  appealed  from :  secondly,  to 
read  the  reasons  which  were  assigned  by  the 
appellant  for  his  appeal,  and  which  are  on 


478  DISCIPLINE. 

record :  thirdly^  to  read  the  whole  record  of 
the  proceedings  of  the  inferior  judicatory  in  the 
case,  including  all  the  testimony,  and  the  rea- 
sons of  their  decision :  fourthly,  to  hear  the 
original  parties:  fifthly,  to  hear  any  of  the 
members  of  the  inferior  judicatory,  in  explana- 
tion of  the  grounds  of  their  decision,  or  of  their 
dissent  from  it. 

IX.  After  all  the  parties  shall  have  been 
fully  heard,  and  all  the  information  gained  by 
the  members  of  the  superior  judicatory,  from 
those  of  the  inferior,  which  shall  be  deemed 
requisite,  the  original  parties,  and  all  the  mem- 
bers of  the  inferior  judicatory,  shall  withdraw; 
when  the  clerk  shall  call  the  roll,  that  every 
member  may  have  an  opportunity  to  express 
his  opinion  on  the  case ;  after  which  the  final 
vote  shall  be  taken. 

X.  The  decision  may  be  either  to  confirm  or 
reverse,  in  whole,  or  in  part,  the  decision  of 
the  inferior  judicatory;  or  to  remit  the  cause, 
for  the  purpose  of  amending  the  record,  should 
it  appear  to  be  incorrect  or  defective ;  or  for  a 
new  trial. 

XL  If  an  appellant,  after  entering  his  appeal 
to  a  superior  judicatory,  fail  to  prosecute  it,  it 
shall  be  considered  as  abandoned,  and  the  sen- 
tence appealed  from  shall  be  final.  And  an 
appellant  shall  be  considered  as  abandoning 
his  appeal,  if  he  do  not  appear  before  the  judi- 
catory appealed  to,  on  the  first  or  second  day 
of  its  meeting,  next  ensuing  the  date  of  his 
notice  of  appeal.     Except  in  cases  in  which 


DISCIPLINE.  479 

the  appellant  can  make  it  appear  that  he  was 
prevented  from  seasonably  prosecuting  his  ap- 
peal by  the  providence  of  God. 

XII.  Members  of  judicatories  appealed  from 
cannot  be  allowed  to  vote  in  the  superior  judi- 
catory, on  any  question  connected  with  the 
appeal. 

XIII.  If  the  members  of  the  inferior  judi- 
catory, in  case  of  a  sentence  appealed  from, 
appear  to  have  acted  according  to  the  best  of 
their  judgment,  and  with  good  intention,  they 
incur  no  censure,  although  their  sentence  be 
reversed.  Yet,  if  they  appear  to  have  acted 
irregularly  or  corruptly,  they  shall  be  censured 
as  the  case  may  require. 

XIV.  If  an  appellant  is  found  to  manifest  a 
litigious  or  other  unchristian  spirit,  in  the  pro- 
secution of  his  appeal,  he  shall  be  censured 
according  to  the  degree  of  his  offence. 

XV.  The  necessary  operation  of  an  appeal 
is,  to  suspend  all  further  proceedings  on  the 
ground  of  the  sentence  appealed  from.  But  if 
a  sentence  of  suspension,  or  excommunication 
from  church  privileges,  or  of  deposition  from 
office,  be  the  sentence  appealed  from,  it  shall 
be  considered  as  in  force  until  the  appeal  shall 
be  issued. 

XVI.  It  shall  always  be  deemed  the  duty 
of  the  judicatory,  whose  judgment  is  appealed 
from,  to  send  authentic  copies  of  all  their  re- 
cords, and  of  the  whole  testimony  relating  to 
the  matter  of  the  appeal.  And  if  any  judica- 
tory shall  neglect  its  duty  in  this  respect ;  espe- 


480  DISCIPLINE. 

cially,  if  thereby  an  appellant,  who  has  con 
ducted  with  regularity  on  his  part,  is  deprived 
of  the  privilege  of  having  his  appeal  season- 
ably issued ;  such  judicatory  shall  be  cen- 
sured according  to  the  circumstances  of  the 
case. 

XVII.  An  appeal  shall  in  no  case  be  entered, 
except  by  one  of  the  original  parties. 


SECTION  IV. 

OF    COMPLAINTS. 

I.  Another  method  by  which  a  cause 
which  has  been  decided  by  an  inferior  judica- 
tory, may  be  carried  before  a  superior,  is  by 
complaint. 

II.  A  complaint  is  a  representation  made  to 
a  superior,  by  any  member  or  members  of  a 
minority  of  an  inferior  judicatory,  or  by  any 
other  person  or  persons,  respecting  a  decision 
by  an  inferior  judicatory,  which,  in  the  opinion 
of  the  complainants,  has  been  irregularly  or 
unjustly  made. 

III.  The  cases  in  which  complaint  is  proper  and 
advisable,  are  such  as  the  following,  viz.  The 
judgment  of  an  inferior  judicatory  may  be  fa- 
vourable to  the  only  party  who  has  been  placed 
at  their  bar ;  or  the  judgment  in  question  may 
do  no  wrong  to  any  individual ;  or  the  party 
who  is  aggrieved  by  it  may  decline  the  trouble 
of  conducting  an  appeal.     In  any  of  these  cases 


DISCIPLINE.  481 

no  appeal  is  to  be  expected.  And  yet  the  judg- 
ment may  appear  to  some  of  the  members  of 
the  judicatory,  to  be  contrary  to  the  constitu- 
tion of  the  church,  injurious  to  the  interests  of 
rehgion,  and  calculated  to  degrade  the  charac- 
ter of  those  who  have  pronounced  it.  In  this 
case  the  minority  have  not  only  a  right  to  re- 
cord, in  the  minutes  of  the  judicatory,  their 
dissent  from  this  judgment,  or  their  protest 
against  it,  but  they  have  also  a  right  to  com- 
plain to  the  superior  judicatory. 

IV.  Notice  of  a  complaint  shall  always  be 
given  before  the  rising  of  the  judicatory,  or 
within  ten  days  thereafter,  as  in  the  case  of  an 
appeal. 

V.  This  complaint  brings  the  whole  pro- 
ceedings in  the  case  under  the  review  of  the 
superior  judicatory ;  and  if  the  complaint  ap- 
pears to  be  well  founded,  it  may  have  the 
effect  not  only  of  drawing  down  censure  upon 
those  who  concurred  in  the  judgment  com- 
plained of;  but  also  of  reversing  that  judg- 
ment, and  placing  matters  in  the  same  situation 
in  which  they  were  before  the  judgment  was 
pronounced. 

VI.  In  cases  of  complaint,  however,  as  in 
those  of  appeal,  the  reversal  of  a  judgment  of 
an  inferior  judicatory  is  not  necessarily  con- 
nected with  censure  on  that  judicatory. 

VII.  None  of  the  members  of  the  judicatory 
whose  act  is  complained  of,  can  vote  in  the  su- 
perior judicatory,  on  any  question  connected 
with  the  complaint. 

41 


482  DISCIPLINE. 

CHAPTER   VIII. 

OF    DISSENTS    AND    PROTESTS. 

I.  A  DISSENT  is  a  declaration  on  the  part  of 
one  or  more  members  of  a  minority,  in  a  judi- 
catory, expressing  a  different  opinion  from  that 
of  the  majority  in  a  particular  case.  A  dissent, 
unaccompanied  with  reasons,  is  always  entered 
on  the  records  of  the  judicatory. 

II.  A  protest  is  a  more  solemn  and  formal 
declaration,  made  by  members  of  a  minority  as 
before-mentioned,  bearing  their  testimony 
against  what  they  deem  a  mischievous  or  erro- 
neous judgment ;  and  is  generally  accompanied 
with  a  detail  of  the  reasons  on  which  it  is 
founded. 

III.  If  a  protest  or  dissent  be  couched  in  de- 
cent and  respectful  language,  and  contains  no 
offensive  reflections  or  insinuations  against  the 
majority  of  the  judicatory,  those  who  offer  it 
have  a  right  to  have  it  recorded  on  the  minutes. 

IV.  A  dissent  or  protest  may  be  accom- 
panied with  a  complaint  to  a  superior  judica- 
tory, or  not,  at  the  pleasure  of  those  who  offer 
it.  If  not  thus  accompanied,  it  is  simply  left  to 
speak  for  itself,  when  the  records  containing  it 
come  to  be  reviewed  by  the  superior  judicatory. 

V.  It  may  sometimes  happen  that  a  protest, 
though  not  infringing  the  rules  of  decorum, 
either  in  its  language  or  matter,  may  impute  to 
the  judicatory,  whose  judgment  it  opposes, 
some  principles  or  reasonings  which  it  never 
adopted.     In  this  case  the  majority  of  the  ju- 


DISCIPLINE.  483 

dicatory  may  with  propriety  appoint  a  com- 
mittee to  draw  up  an  answer  to  the  protest, 
which,  after  being  adopted  as  the  act  of 
the  judicatory,  ought  to  be  inserted  on  the 
records. 

VI.  When,  in  such  a  case,  the  answer  of  the 
majority  is  brought  in,  those  who  entered  their 
protest  may  be  of  the  opinion  that  fideUty  to 
their  cause  calls  upon  them  to  make  a  reply  to 
the  answer.  This,  however,  ought  by  no 
means  to  be  admitted ;  as  the  majority  might, 
of  course,  rejoin,  and  litigation  might  be  per- 
petuated, to  the  great  inconvenience  and  dis- 
grace of  the  judicatory. 

VII.  When,  however,  those  who  have  pro- 
tested, consider  the  answer  of  the  majority  as 
imputing  to  them  opinions  or  conduct  which 
they  disavow ;  the  proper  course  is,  to  ask 
leave  to  take  back  their  protest,  and  modify  it 
in  such  manner  as  to  render  it  more  agreeable 
to  their  views.  This  alteration  may  lead  to  a 
corresponding  alteration  in  the  answer  of  the 
majority;  with  which  the  whole  affair  ought 
to  terminate. 

VIII.  None  can  join  in  a  protest  against  a 
decision  of  any  judicatory,  excepting  those 
who  had  a  right  to  vote  in  said  decision. 


CHAPTER  IX. 

NEW    TESTIMONY. 

I.  If,  after  a  trial  before  any  judicatory,  new 
testimony  be  discovered,  which  is  supposed  to 


484  DISCIPLINE. 

be  highly  important  to  the  exculpation  of  the 
accused,  it  is  proper  for  him  to  ask,  and  for  the 
judicatory  to  grant,  a  new  trial. 

II.  It  sometimes  happens,  in  the  prosecution 
of  appeals,  that  testimony,  which  had  not  been 
exhibited  before  the  inferior  judicatory,  is  repre- 
sented to  exist,  and  to  be  of  considerable  im- 
portance in  the  case. 

III.  Representations  of  this  kind  ought  not 
to  be  lightly,  or  of  course,  sustained.  But  the 
superior  judicatory  ought  to  be  well  satisfied, 
that  the  alleged  testimony  is  of  real  importance, 
before  they  determine  to  put  the  inferior  judi- 
catory to  the  trouble  of  a  new  trial. 

IV.  When  such  testimony,  therefore,  is  al- 
leged to  exist,  either  by  the  appellant,  or  the 
judicatory  appealed  from,  it  will  be  proper  for 
the  superior  judicatory  to  inquire  into  the  na- 
ture and  import  of  the  testimony  ;  what  is  in- 
tended to  be  proved  by  it ;  and,  whether  there 
is  any  probability  that  it  will  really  establish 
the  point  intended  to  be  established. 

V.  If  it  appear  that  the  fact  proposed  to  be 
established  by  the  new  testimony  is  important ; 
that  is,  if  it  appear  to  be  such  a  fact  as,  if 
proved,  would  materially  alter  the  aspect  of  the 
cause  ;  and  if  there  be  any  probability  that  the 
testimony  in  question  will  be  sufficient  to 
estabhsh  the  alleged  fact;  then  the  superior 
judicatory  ought  to  send  the  cause  back  to  the 
inferior  for  a  new  trial. 

VI.  Cases  may  arise,  however,  in  which  the 
judicatory  appealed  from,  and  the  appellant, 
may  concur  in  requesting  the  superior  judicatory 


DISCIPLINE.  485 

to  take  up  and  issue  the  appeal,  with  the  ad- 
ditional light  which  the  new  evidence  may 
afford.  In  this  case,  and  especially  if  very 
serious  injury  is  likely  to  happen,  either  to 
the  appellcnt,  or  to  the  church,  by  the  delay 
which  a  new  trial  would  occasion,  the  superior 
judicatory  may  proceed  to  hear  the  new  testi- 
mony, and  to  issue  the  appeal,  with  the  aid  of 
the  additional  light  which  that  testimony  may 
afford. 

VII.  When,  however,  the  judgment  of  the 
inferior  judicatory  is  reversed ;  and  it  is  ap- 
parent that  the  new  testimony  had  considerable 
influence  in  procuring  the  reversal ;  it  ought  to 
be  so  stated  in  the  decision  of  the  superior  ju- 
dicatory ;  inasmuch  as  it  would  be  injustice  to 
the  inferior  judicatory  to  reverse  their  decision, 
upon  grounds  which  were  never  before  them, 
without  explaining  the  fact. 


CHAPTER  X. 

JURISDICTION. 

I.  When  a  member  shall  be  dismissed  from 
one  church,  with  a  view  to  his  joining  another, 
if  he  commit  an  offence  previous  to  his  joining 
the  latter,  he  shall  be  considered  as  under  the 
jurisdiction  of  the  church  which  dismissed  him, 
and  amenable  to  it,  up  to  the  time  when  he 
actually  becomes  connected  with  that  to  which 
he  was  dismissed  and  recommended. 

II.  The  same  principle  applies  to  a  minister  • 

41* 


486  DISCIPLINE. 

who  is  always  to  be  considered  as  remaining 
under  the  jurisdiction  of  the  presbytery  which 
dismissed  him,  until  he  actually  becomes  a 
member  of  another. 

III.  If,  however,  either  a  minister,  or  a  pri- 
vate member,  shall  bo  charged  with  a  crime 
which  appears  to  have  been  committed  during 
the  interval  between  the  date  of  his  dismission, 
and  his  actually  joining  the  new  body,  but 
which  did  not  come  to  light  until  after  he  had 
joined  the  new  body,  that  body  shall  be  em- 
powered and  bound  to  conduct  the  process 
against  him. 

IV.  No  presbytery  shall  dismiss  a  minister, 
or  licentiate,  or  candidate  for  licensure,  without 
specifying  the  particular  presbytery,  or  other 
ecclesiastical  body,  with  which  he  is  to  be 
connected. 


CHAPTER    XL 

LIMITATION    OF    TIME. 

I.  When  any  member  shall  remove  from 
one  congregation  to  another,  he  shall  produce 
satisfactory  testimonials  of  his  church  member- 
ship and  dismission,  before  he  be  admitted  as 
a  regular  member  of  that  church ;  unless  the 
church  to  which  he  removes  has  other  satis- 
factory means  of  information. 

II.  No  certificate  of  church  membership 
shall  be  considered  as  valid  testimony  of  the 
good  standing  of  the  bearer,  if  it  be  more  than 


DISCIPLINE.  487 

one  year  old,  except  where  there  has  been  no 
opportunity  of  presenting  it  to  a  church. 

III.  When  persons  remove  to  a  distance,  and 
neglect,  for  a  considerable  time,  to  apply  for 
testimonials  of  dismission,  and  good  standing, 
the  testimonials  given  them  shall  testify  to  their 
character  only  up  to  the  time  of  their  removal, 
unless  the  judicatory  have  good  information  of 
a  more  recent  date. 

IV.  If  a  church  member  have  been  more 
than  two  years  absent  from  the  place  of  his  or- 
dinary residence  and  ecclesiastical  connexions, 
if  he  apply  for  a  certificate  of  membership,  his 
absence,  and  the  ignorance  of  the  church  respect- 
ing his  demeanour  for  that  time,  shall  be  dis- 
tinctly stated  in  the  certificate. 

V.  Process,  in  case  of  scandal,  shall  com- 
mence within  the  space  of  one  year  after  the 
crime  shall  have  been  committed ;  unless  it 
shall  have  recently  become  flagrant.  It  may 
happen,  however,  that  a  church  member,  after 
removing  to  a  place  far  distant  from  his  former 
residence,  and  where  his  connexion  with  the 
church  is  unknown,  may  commit  a  crime,  on 
account  of  which  process  cannot  be  instituted 
within  the  time  above  specified.  In  all  such 
cases,  the  recent  discovery  of  the  church  mem- 
bership of  the  individual,  shall  be  considered 
as  equivalent  to  the  crime  itself  having  recently 
become  flagrant.  The  same  principle  also  ap- 
plies to  ministers  if  similar  circumstances  should 
occur. 


THE 

DIRECTORY 


WORSHIP  OF  GOD   IN  THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH 
IN  THE  UNITED  STATES  OF  AMERICA,* 

AS  AMENDED  AND  RATIFIED  BY  THE  GENERAL  ASSEMBLY, 

In  May,  1821. 


CHAPTER  I. 


I.  It  is  the  duty  of  every  person  to  remem- 
ber the  Lord's  day ;  and  to  prepare  for  it,  before 
its  approach.  All  worldly  business  should  be 
so  ordered,  and  seasonably  laid  aside,  as  that 
we  may  not  be  hindered  thereby  from  sancti- 
fying the  Sabbath,  as  the  Holy  Scriptures 
require. 

II.  The  whole  day  is  to  be  kept  holy  to  the 
Lord ;  and  to  be  employed  in  the  public  and 
private  exercises  of  religion.  Therefore,  it  is 
requisite,  that  there  be  a  holy  resting,  all  the 
day,  from  unnecessary  labours ;  and  an  ab- 
staining  from   those   recreations  which  may 

*  The  Scripture-warrant  for  what  is  specified  in 
the  various  articles  of  this  directory,  will  be  found 
at  large  in  the  Confession  of  Faith  and  Catechisms,  in 
the  places  where  the  subjects  are  treated  in  a  doctrinal 
form. 

489 


490  DIRECTORY    FOR    WORSHIP. 

be  lawful  on  other  days ;  and  also,  as  much 
as  possible,  from  worldly  thoughts  and  conver- 
sation. 

III.  Let  the  provisions  for  the  support  of  the 
family  on  that  day,  be  so  ordered,  that  servants 
or  others  be  not  improperly  detained  from  the 
pubUc  worship  of  God ;  nor  hindered  from 
sanctifying  the  Sabbath. 

IV.  Let  every  person  and  family,  in  the 
morning,  by  secret  and  private  prayer,  for  them- 
selves and  others,  especially  for  the  assistance 
of  God  to  their  minister,  and  for  a  blessing  upon 
his  ministry,  by  reading  the  Scriptures,  and  by 
holy  meditation,  prepare  for  communion  with 
God  in  his  public  ordinances. 

V.  Let  the  people  be  careful  to  assemble  at 
the  appointed  time ;  that,  being  all  present  at 
the  beginning,  they  may  unite,  with  one  heart, 
in  all  the  parts  of  pubUc  worship  :  and  let  none 
unnecessarily  depart,  till  after  the  blessing  be 
pronounced. 

VI.  Let  the  time  after  the  solemn  services  of 
the  congregation  in  public  are  over,  be  spent  in 
reading,  meditation,  repeating  of  sermons,  cate- 
chising, religious  conversation,  prayer  for  a 
blessing  upon  the  public  ordinances,  the  sing- 
ing of  psalms,  hymns,  or  spiritual  songs ; — 
visiting  the  sick,  relieving  the  poor,  and  in  per- 
forming such  like  duties  of  piety,  charity,  and 
mercy. 


DIRECTORY    FOR    WORSHIP.  491 

CHAPTER  II. 

OP  THE  ASSEMBLING  OF  THE  CONGREGATION, 
AND  THEIR  BEHAVIOUR  DURING  DIVINE 
SERVICE. 

I.  When  the  time  appointed  for  public  wor- 
ship is  come,  let  the  people  enter  the  church, 
and  take  their  seats  in  a  decent,  grave,  and 
reverent  manner. 

II.  In  time  of  public  worship,  let  all  the 
people  attend  with  gravity  and  reverence ;  for- 
bearing to  read  any  thing,  except  what  the 
minister  is  then  reading  or  citing ;  abstaining 
from  all  whisperings,  from  salutations  of  persons 
present,  or  coming  in ;  and  from  gazing  about, 
sleeping,  smiling,  and  all  other  indecent  beha- 
viour. 


CHAPTER  III. 

OF     the     PUBLIC     READING     OF     THE     HOLY 
SCRIPTURES. 

I.  The  reading  of  the  Holy  Scriptures,  in 
the  congregation,  is  a  part  of  the  public  wor- 
ship of  God,  and  ought  to  be  performed  by  the 
ministers  and  teachers. 

II.  The  Holy  Scriptures  of  the  Old  and  New 
Testament,  shall  be  publicly  read,  from  the 
most  approved  translation,  in  the  vulgar  tongue, 
that  all  may  hear  and  understand. 

III.  How  large  a  portion  shall  be  read  at 
once,  is  left  to  the  discretion  of  every  minister  : 
however,  in  each  service,  he  ought  to  read,  at 


492  DIRECTORY   FOR    WORSHIP. 

least,  one  chapter ;  and  more,  when  the  chap 
ters  are  short,  or  the  connexion  requires  it.  He 
may,  when  he  thinks  it  expedient,  expound  any 
part  of  what  is  read :  always  having  regard  to 
the  time,  that  neither  reading,  singing,  praying, 
preaching,  or  any  other  ordinance,  be  dispro- 
portionate the  one  to  the  other ;  nor  the  whole 
rendered  too  short,  or  too  tedious. 


CHAPTER  IV. 

OF    THE    SINGING    OF    PSALMS. 

I.  It  is  the  duty  of  Christians  to  praise  God, 
by  singing  psalms,  or  hymns,  publicly  in  the 
church,  as  also  privately  in  the  family. 

II.  In  singing  the  praises  of  God,  we  are  to 
sing  with  the  spirit,  and  with  the  understanding 
also ;  making  melody  in  our  hearts  unto  the 
Lord.  It  is  also  proper,  that  we  cultivate  some 
knowledge  of  the  rules  of  music ;  that  we  may 
praise  God  in  a  becoming  manner  with  our 
voices,  as  well  as  with  our  hearts. 

III.  The  whole  congregation  should  be  fur- 
nished with  books,  and  ought  to  join  in  this 
part  of  worship.  It  is  proper  to  sing  without 
parcelling  out  the  psalm,  line  by  hne.  The 
practice  of  reading  the  psalm,  line  by  line,  was 
introduced  in  times  of  ignorance,  when  many 
in  the  congregation  could  not  read:  therefore, 
it  is  recommended,  that  it  be  laid  aside,  as  far 
as  convenient. 

IV.  The  proportion  of  the  time  of  public 


DIRECTORY    FOR    WORSHIP.  493 

worship  to  be  spent  in  singing,  is  left  to  the 
prudence  of  every  minister :  but  it  is  recom- 
mended, that  more  time  be  allowed  for  this 
excellent  part  of  divine  service  than  has  been 
usual  in  most  of  our  churches. 


CHAPTER  V. 

OP    PUBLIC    PRAYER. 

I.  It  seems  very  proper  to  begin  the  public 
worship  of  the  sanctuary  by  a  short  prayer; 
humbly  adoring  the  infinite  majesty  of  the 
living  God  ;  expressing  a  sense  of  our  distance 
from  him  as  creatures,  and  unworthiness  as 
sinners;  and  humbly  imploring  bis  gracious 
presence,  the  assistance  of  his  Holy  Spirit  in 
the  duties  of  his  worship,  and  his  acceptance 
of  us  through  the  merits  of  our  Lord  and 
Saviour  Jesus  Christ. 

H.  Then,  after  singing  a  psalm,  or  hymn,  it 
is  proper  that,  before  sermon,  there  should 
be  a  full  and  comprehensive  prayer.  Firsts 
Adoring  the  glory  and  perfections  of  God,  as 
they  are  made  known  to  us  in  the  works  of 
creation,  in  the  conduct  of  providence,  and  in 
the  clear  and  full  revelation  he  hath  made  of 
himself  in  his  written  word.  Second,  Giving 
thanks  to  him  for  all  his  mercies  of  every  kind, 
general  and  particular,  spiritual  and  temporal, 
common  and  special ;  above  all,  for  Christ  Jesus, 
his  unspeakable  gift,  and  the  hope  of  eternal 
life  through  him.     Third,  Making  humble  con- 


494  DIRECTORY    FOR    WORSHir. 

fi^psion  of  sin,  both  original  and  actual;  acknow- 
ledging, and  endeavouring  to  impress  the  mind 
of  every  worshipper,  with  a  deep  sense  of  the 
evil  of  all  sin,  as  such ;  as  being  a  departure 
from  the  Uving  God ;  and  also  taking  a  par- 
ticukir  and  affecting  view  of  the  various  fruits 
which  proceed  from  this  root  of  bitterness : — 
as  sins  against  God,  our  neighbour,  and  our- 
selves;  sins  in  thoaght,  in  word,  and  in  deed; 
siijs  secret  and  presumptuous ;  sins  accidental 
and  habitual.  Also,  the  aggravations  of  sin, 
arising  from  knowledge,  or  the  means  of  it; 
from  distinguishing  mercies ;  from  valuable 
privileges;  from  breach  of  vows,  &c.  Fourth, 
Making  earnest  supplication  for  the  pardon  of 
sin,  and  peace  with  God,  through  the  blood  of 
the  atonement,  with  all  its  important  and  happy 
fruits;  for  the  Spirit  of  sanctification,  and  abun- 
dant supplies  of  the  grace  that  is  necessary  to 
the  discharge  of  our  duty;  for  support  and  com- 
fort, under  all  the  trials  to  which  we  are  liable, 
as  we  are  sinful  and  mortal ;  and  for  all  tem- 
poral mercies  that  may  be  necessary,  in  our 
passage  through  this  valley  of  tears.  Always 
remeiubering  to  view  them  as  flowing  in  the 
channel  of  covenant  love,  and  intended  to  be 
subservient  to  the  preservation  and  progress  of 
the  spiritual  life.  Fifth,  Pleading  from  every 
principle  warranted  in  Scripture ;  from  our 
own  necessity ;  the  all-sufficiency  of  God ;  the 
merit  and  intercession  of  our  Saviour ;  and  the 
glory  of  God  in  the  comfort  and  happiness  of 
his  people.  Sixth,  Intercession  for  others,  in- 
cluding the  whole  world  of  mankind;  the  king- 


DIRECTORY    FOR    WORSHIP.  495 

dom  of  Christ,  or  his  church  universal;  the 
church  or  churches  with  which  we  are  more 
particularly  coLmec-ted;  the  interest  of  human 
society  in  general,  and  in  that  community  to 
which  we  immediately  belong;  all  that  are 
invested  with  civil  authority;  the  nunisters  of 
the  everlasting  gospel;  and  the  rising  genera- 
tion: with  whatever  else,  more  particular,  may 
seem  necessary,  or  suitable,  to  the  interest  of 
that  congregation  where  divine  worship  is  cele  ■ 
brated. 

III.  Prayer  after  sermon,  ought  generally  to 
have  a  relation  to  the  subject  that  has  been 
treated  of  in  the  discourse ;  and  all  other  public 
prayers,  to  the  circumstances  that  gave  occasion 
for  them. 

IV.  It  is  easy  to  perceive,  that  in  all  the  pre- 
ceding directions  there  is  a  very  great  compass 
and  variety;  and  it  is  committed  to  the  judg- 
ment and  fidelity?-  of  the  officiating  pastor  to 
insist  chiefly  on  such  parts,  or  to  take  in  more 
or  less  of  the  several  parts,  as  he  shall  be  led  to 
by  the  aspect  of  Providence ;  the  particular 
state  of  the  congregation  in  which  he  offi- 
ciates ;  or  the  disposition  and  exercise  of  his 
own  heart  at  the  time.  But  we  think  it  neces- 
sary to  observe,  that  although  we  do  not  ap- 
prove, as  is  well  known,  of  confining  ministers 
to  set,  or  fixed  forms  of  prayer  for  public  wor- 
ship ;  yet  it  is  the  indispensable  duty  of  every 
minister,  previously  to  his  entering  on  his  office, 
to  prepare  and  qualify  himself  for  this  part  of 
his  duty,  as  well  as  for  preaching.  He  ought, 
by  a  thorough  acquaintance  with  the  Holy  Scrip- 


496  DIRECTORY    FOR    WORSHIP. 

tures,  by  reading  the  best  writers  on  the  sub- 
ject, by  meditation,  and  by  a  life  of  communion 
with  God  in  secret,  to  endeavour  to  acquire 
both  the  spirit  and  the  gift  of  prayer.  Not  only 
so,  but  when  he  is  to  enter  on  particular  acts 
of  worship,  he  should  endeavour  to  compose 
his  spirit,  and  to  digest  his  thoughts  for  prayer, 
that  it  may  be  performed  with  dignity  and  pro- 
priety, as  well  as  to  the  profit  of  those  who  join 
in  it ;  and  that  he  may  not  disgrace  that  im- 
portant service  by  mean,  irregular,  or  extrava 
gant  effusions. 


CHAPTER  VI. 

OF    THE    PREACHING    OF    THE    WORD. 

I.  The  preaching  of  the  word  being  an  insti- 
tution of  God  for  the  salvation  of  men,  great 
attention  should  be  paid  to  the  manner  of  per- 
forming it.  Every  minister  ought  to  give  dili- 
gent application  to  it;  and  endeavour  to  prove 
himself  a  workman  that  needeth  not  to  be 
ashamed  ;  rightly  dividing  the  word  of  truth. 

II.  The  subject  of  a  sermon  should  be  some 
verse  or  verses  of  Scripture  ;  and  its  object,  to 
explain,  defend,  and  apply  some  part  of  the 
system  of  divine  truth ;  or,  to  point  out  the 
nature,  and  state  the  bounds  and  obligation, 
of  some  duty.  A  text  should  not  be  merely  a 
motto,  but  should  fairly  contain  the  doctrine 
proposed  to  be  handled.    It  is  proper  also  that 


DIRECTORY    FOR    WORSHIP.  497 

laige  portions  of  Scripture  be  sometimes  ex- 
pounded, and  particularly  improved,  for  the 
instruction  of  the  people  in  the  meaning  and 
use  of  the  Sacred  Oracles. 

III.  The  method  of  preaching  requires  much 
study,  meditation,  and  prayer.  Ministers  ought, 
in  general,  to  prepare  their  sermons  with  care; 
and  not  to  indulge  themselves  in  loose,  extem- 
porary harangues ;  nor  to  serve  God  with  that 
which  cost  them  naught.  They  ought,  how- 
ever, to  keep  to  the  simplicity  of  the  gospel ; 
expressing  themselves  in  language  agreeable 
to  Scripture,  and  level  to  the  understanding  of 
the  meanest  of  their  hearers ;  carefully  avoid- 
ing ostentation,  either  of  parts  or  learning. 
They  ought  also  to  adorn,  by  their  lives,  the 
doctrine  which  they  teach ;  and  to  be  exam- 
ples to  the  believers,  in  word,  in  conversation, 
in  charity,  in  spirit,  in  faith,  in  purity. 

IV.  As  one  primary  design  of  public  ordi- 
nances is  to  pay  social  acts  of  homage  to  the 
most  High  God,  ministers  ought  to  be  careful 
not  to  make  their  sermons  so  long  as  to  inter- 
fere with  or  exclude  the  more  important  duties 
of  prayer  and  praise  ;  but  preserve  a  just  pro- 
portion between  the  several  parts  of  public 
worship. 

V.  The  sermon  being  ended,  the  minister  is 
to  pray,  and  return  thanks  to  Almighty  God  : 
then  let  a  psalm  be  sung;  a  collection  raised 
for  the  poor,  or  other  purposes  of  the  church; 
and  the  assembly  dismissed  with  the  apostolic 
benediction. 

42* 


498  DIRECTORY    FOR    WORSHIP. 

VI.  It  is  expedient  that  no  person  be  intro- 
duced to  preach  in  any  of  the  churches  under 
our  care,  unless  by  the  consent  of  the  pastor  or 
church  session. 


CHAPTER  VII.  : 

OF    THE    ADMINISTRATION    OF    BAPTISM. 

I.  Baptism  is  not  to  be  unnecessarily  de- 
layed ;  nor  to  be  administered,  in  any  case,  by 
any  private  person;  but  by  a  minister  of  Christ, 
called  to  be  the  steward  of  the  mysteries  of 
God. 

II.  It  is  usually  to  be  administered  in  the 
church,  in  the  presence  of  the  congregation; 
and  it  is  convenient  that  it  be  performed  imme- 
diately after  sermon. 

III.  After  previous  notice  is  given  to  the 
minister,  the  child  to  be  baptized  is  to  be  pre- 
sented, by  one  or  both  the  parents,  signifying 
their  desire  that  the  child  may  be  baptized. 

IV.  Before  baptism,  let  the  minister  use 
some  words  of  instruction,  respecting  the  insti- 
tution, nature,  use,  and  ends  of  this  ordinance ; 
showing, 

"  That  it  is  instituted  by  Christ ;  that  it  is  a 
"  seal  of  the  righteousness  of  faith :  that  the 
"  seed  of  the  faithful  have  no  less  a  right  to  this 
"  ordinance,  under  the  gospel,  than  the  seed  of 
"  Abraham  to  circumcision,  under  the  Old  Tes- 
" lament;  that  Christ  commanded  all  nations 


DIRECTORY    FOR    WORSHIP.  499 

^*  to  be  baptized ;  that  he  blessed  little  children, 
"declaring  that  of  such  is  the  kingdom  of  hea- 
"ven;  that  children  are  federally  holy,  and 
"  therefore  ought  to  be  baptized ;  that  we  are, 
"by  nature,  sinful,  guilty,  and  polluted,  and 
"have  need  of  cleansing  by  the  blood  of  Christ, 
"  and  by  the  sanctifying  influences  of  the  Spirit 
"of  God." 

The  minister  is  also  to  exhort  the  parents  to 
the  careful  performance  of  their  duty:  requiring, 

"  That  they  teach  the  child  to  read  the  word 
"of  God  ;  that  they  instruct  it  in  the  principles 
"  of  our  holy  religion,  as  contained  in  the  Scrip- 
"tures  of  the  Old  and  New  Testament ;  an  ex- 
"cellent  summary  of  which  we  have  in  the 
"  Confession  of  Faith  of  this  church,  and  in  the 
"  Larger  and  Shorter  Catechisms  of  theWestmin- 
"  ster  Assembly,  which  are  to  be  recommended 
"to  them,  as  adopted  by  this  church,  for  their 
"  direction  and  assistance,  in  the  discharge  of 
"this  important  duty;  that  they  pray  with  and 
"for  it ;  that  they  set  an  example  of  piety  and 
"  godliness  before  it ;  and  endeavour,  by  all  the 
"means  of  God's  appointment,  to  bring  up 
"their  child  in  the  nurture  and  admonition  of 
"the  Lord." 

V.  Then  the  minister  is  to  pray  for  a  bless- 
ing to  attend  this  ordinance  ;  after  which,  call- 
ing the  child  by  its  name,  he  shall  say, 

"  I  baptize  thee,  in  the  name  of  the  Father, 
"and  of  the  Son,  and  of  the  Holy  Ghost." 

As  he  pronounces  these  words,  he  is  to  bap- 
tize the  child  with  water,  by  pouring  or  sprink- 
ling it  on  the  face  of  the  child,  without  adding 


500  DIRECTORY    FOR    WORSHIP. 

any  other  ceremony :  and  the  whole  shall  be 
concluded  with  prayer. 

Although  it  is  proper  that  baptism  be  admin- 
istered in  the  presence  of  the  congregation; 
yet  there  may  be  cases  when  it  will  be  expe- 
dient to  administer  this  ordinance  in  private 
houses;  of  which  the  minister  is  to  be  the  judge. 


CHAPTER  VIII. 

,    OF     THE     ADMINISTRATION     OF     THE     LORd's 
SUPPER. 

I.  The  communion,  or  supper  of  the  Lord, 
is  to  be  celebrated  frequently;  but  how  often, 
may  be  determined  by  the  minister  and  elder- 
ship of  each  congregation,  as  they  may  judge 
most  for  edification. 

II.  The  ignorant  and  scandalous  are  not  to 
be  admitted  to  the  Lord's  supper. 

III.  It  is  proper  that  pubhc  notice  should  be 
given  to  the  congregation,  at  least  the  Sabbath 
before  the  administration  of  this  ordinance,  and 
that,  either  then,  or  on  some  day  of  the  week, 
the  people  be  instructed  in  its  nature,  and  a  due 
preparation  for  it ;  that  all  may  come  in  a  suit- 
able manner  to  this  holy  feast. 

IV.  When  the  sermon  is  ended,  the  minister 
shall  show, 

"  That  this  is  an  ordinance  of  Christ ;  by 
"reading  the  words  of  institution,  either  from 
"one  of  the  evangelists,  or  from  1  Cor.  xi.  chap- 
"  Ur;  which,  as  to  him  may  appear  expedient, 


DIRECTORY    FOR    WORSHIP.  501 

"  he  may  explain  and  apply ;  that  it  is  to  be 
"observed  in  remembrance  of  Christ,  to  show 
"  forth  his  death  till  he  come ;  that  it  is  of  inesti- 
"  mable  benefit,  to  strengthen  his  people  against 
"  sin ;  to  support  them  under  troubles ;  to  en- 
"  courage  and  quicken  them  in  duty  ;  to  inspire 
"them  with  love  and  zeal;  to  increase  their 
"faith,  and  holy  resolution;  and  to  beget  peace 
"of  conscience,  and  comfortable  hopes  of  eternal 
"life.'' 

He  is  to  warn  the  profane,  the  ignorant,  and 
scandalous,  and  those  that  secretly  indulge 
themselves  in  any  known  sin,  not  to  approach 
the  holy  table.  On  the  other  hand,  he  shall  in- 
vite to  this  holy  table,  such  as,  sensible  of  their 
lost  and  helpless  state  by  sin,  depend  upon  the 
atonement  of  Christ  for  pardon  and  acceptance 
with  God;  such  as,  being  instructed  in  the  gos- 
pel doctrine,  have  a  competent  knowledge  to 
discern  the  Lord's  body,  and  such  as  desire  to 
renomice  their  sins,  and  are  determined  to  lead 
a  holy  and  godly  life. 

V.  The  table,  on  which  the  elements  are 
placed,  being  decently  covered,  the  bread  in 
convenient  dishes,  and  the  wine  in  cups,  and 
the  communicants  orderly  and  gravely  sitting 
around  the  table,  (or  in  their  seats  before  it,)  in 
the  presence  of  the  minister ;  let  him  set  the 
elements  apart,  by  prayer  and  thanksgiving. 

The  bread  and  wine  being  thus  set  apart  by 
prayer  and  thanksgiving,  the  minister  is  to  take 
the  bread,  and  break  it,  in  the  view  of  the  peo- 
ple, saying,  in  expressions  of  this  sort, 

"  Our  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  on  the  same  night 


502  DIRECTORY    FOR    WORSHIP. 

"in  which  he  was  betrayed,  having  taken  bread, 
"  and  blessed  and  broken  it,  gave  it  to  his  dis- 
"  ciples  ;  as  I,  ministering  in  his  name,  give  this 
"bread  unto  you;  saying,  [here  the  bread  is  to 
"be  distributed]  Taive,  eat:  this  is  my  body, 
"  which  is  broken  for  you  :  this  do  in  remem- 
"brance  of  me." 

After  having  given  the  bread,  he  shall  take 
the  cup,  and  say, 

"  After  the  same  manner  our  Saviour  also 
"took  the  cup;  and  having  given  thanks,  as 
"hath  been  done  in  his  name,  he  gave  it  to  the' 
"disciples;  saying,  [while  the  minister  is  re- 
"peating  these  words  let  him  give  the  cup] 
"  This  cup  is  the  new  testament  in  my  blood, 
"  which  is  shed  for  many,  for  the  remission  of 
"sins:  drink  ye  all  of  it." 

The  minister  himself  is  to  communicate,  at 
such  time  as  may  appear  to  him  most  conve- 
nient. 

The  minister  may,  in  a  few  words,  put  the 
communicants  in  mind, 

"  Of  the  grace  of  God,  in  Jesus  Christ,  held 
"  forth  in  this  sacrament ;  and  of  their  obliga- 
"  tion  to  be  the  Lord's ;  and  may  exiiort  them 
"  to  walk  worthy  of  the  vocation  wherewith 
"  they  are  called ;  and,  as  they  have  professedly 
"received  Christ  Jesus  the  Lord,  that  they  be 
"  careful  so  to  walk  in  him,  and  to  maintain 
"good  works." 

It  may  not  be  improper  for  the  minister  to 
give  a  word  of  exhortation  also  to  those  Avho 
have  been  only  spectators,  reminding  them, 

"  Of  their  duty;  stating  their  sin  and  danger, 


DIRECTORY    FOR    WORSHIP.  503 

"by  living  in  disobedience  to  Christ,  in  neglect- 
"  ing  this  holy  ordinance ;  and  calling  upon 
"them  to  be  earnest  in  making  preparation  for 
"  attending  upon  it,  at  the  next  time  of  its  cele- 
"bration." 

Then  the  minister  is  to  pray  and  give  thanks 
to  God, 

"  For  his  rich  mercy,  and  invaluable  good- 
"ness,  vouchsafed  to  them  in  that  sacred  com- 
"munion;  to  implore  pardon  for  the  defects 
"  of  the  whole  service  ;  and  to  pray  for  the  ac- 
"  ceptance  of  their  persons  and  performances  ; 
"for  the  gracious  assistance  of  the  Holy  Spirit, 
"  to  enable  them,  as  they  have  received  Christ 
"  Jesus  the  Lord,  so  to  walk  in  him  ;  that  they 
"'may  hold  fest  that  which  they  have  received, 
"that  no  man  take  their  crown;  that  their  con- 
"  versation  may  be  as  becometh  the  gospel ;  that 
"they  may  bear  about  with  them,  continually, 
"  the  dying  of  the  Lord  Jesus,  that  the  life  also 
"  of  Jesus  may  be  manifested  in  their  mortal 
"  body ;  that  their  light  may  so  shine  before 
"men,  that  others,  seeing  their  good  works, 
"may  glorify  their  Father  who  is  in  heaven." 

The  collection  for  the  poor,  and  to  defray  the 
expense  of  the  elements,  may  be  made  after 
this ;  or  at  such  other  time  as  may  seem  meet 
to  the  eldership. 

Now  let  a  psalm  or  hymn  be  sung,  and  the 
congregation  dismissed,  with  the  following  or 
some  other  gospel  benediction  : 

"  Now  the  God  of  peace,  that  brought  again 
"from  the  dead  our  Lord  Jesus,  that  great 
"  Shepherd  of  the  sheep,  through  the  blood  of 


504  DIRECTORY    FOR    WORSHIP. 

"the  everlasting  covenant,  make  you  perfect 
"  in  every  good  work  to  do  his  will,  working 
"  in  you  that  which  is  well-pleasing  in  his 
"  sight,  through  Jesus  Christ ;  to  whom  be 
"glory  for  ever  and  ever.     Amen.'^ 

VI.  As  it  has  been  customary,  in  some  parts 
of  our  church,  to  observe  a  fast  before  the 
Lord's  supper ;  to  have  a  sermon  on  Saturday 
and  Monday;  and  to  invite  two  or  three  minis- 
ters on  such  occasions;  and  as  these  seasons 
have  been  blessed  to  many  souls,  and  may  tend 
to  keep  up  a  stricter  union  of  ministers  and 
congregations ;  we  think  it  not  improper  that 
they  who  choose  it  may  continue  in  this 
practice. 


CHAPTER  IX. 

OF     THE     ADMISSION    OF    PERSONS     TO    SEALING 
ORDINANCES. 

1.  Children,  born  within  the  pale  of  the 
visible  church,  and  dedicated  to  God  in  bap- 
tism, are  under  the  inspection  and  government 
of  the  church ;  and  are  to  be  taught  to  read, 
and  repeat  the  catechism,  the  apostles'  creed, 
and  the  Lord's  prayer.  They  are  to  be  taught 
to  pray,  to  abhor  sin,  to  fear  God,  and  to  obey 
the  Lord  Jesus  Christ.  And,  when  they  come 
to  years  of  discretion,  if  they  be  free  from  scan- 
dal, appear  sober  and  steady,  and  to  have  suffi- 
cient knowledge  to  discern  the  Lord's  body, 
they  ought  to  be  informed  it  is  their  duty  and 
their  privilege  to  come  to  the  Lord's  r^uppcr. 


DIRECTORY    FOR    WORSHIP.  505 

II.  The  years  of  discretion,  in  young  Chris- 
tians, cannot  be  precisely  fixed.  This  must 
be  left  to  the  prudence  of  the  eldership.  The 
officers  of  the  church  are  the  judges  of  the 
qualifications  of  those  to  be  admitted  to  sealing 
ordinances ;  and  of  the  time  when  it  is  proper 
to  admit  young  Christians  to  them. 

III.  Those  who  are  to  be  admhted  to  seal- 
ing ordinances,  shall  be  examined  as  to  their 
knowledge  and  piety. 

IV.  When  unbaptized  persons  apply  for  ad- 
mission into  the  church,  they  shall,  in  ordinary 
cases,  after  giving  satisfaction  with  respect  to 
their  knowledge  and  piety,  make  a  public  pro- 
fession of  their  faith,  in  the  presence  of  the  con- 
gregation ;  and  thereupon  be  baptized. 


CHAPTER  X. 

OF    THE    MODE    OF    INFLICTING    CHURCH 
CENSURES. 

I.  The  power  which  Christ  hath  given  the 
rulers  of  his  church  is  for  edification,  and  not 
for  destruction.  As,  in  the  preaching  of  the 
word,  the  wicked  are,  doctrinally,  separated 
from  the  good ;  so,  by  discipline,  the  churcli 
authoritatively  makes  a  distinction  between  the 
holy  and  the  profane.  In  this,  she  acts  the 
part  of  a  tender  mother,  correcting  her  child- 
ren only  for  their  good,  that  every  one  of  them 
may  be  presented  faultless,  in  the  day  of  the 
Lord  Jesus. 

43 


506  DIRECTORY    FOR    WORSHIP. 

II.  When  any  member  of  the  church  shall 
have  been  guiUy  of  a  fault,  deserving  censure, 
the  judicatory  shall  proceed  with  all  tender- 
ness, and  restore  their  offending  brother  in  the 
spirit  of  meekness;  considering  themselves,  lest 
they  also  be  tempted.  Censure  ought  to  be 
inflicted  with  great  solemnity  ;  that  it  may  be 
the  means  of  impressing  the  mind  of  the  delin- 
quent with  a  proper  sense  of  his  danger,  while 
lie  stands  excluded  from  the  privileges  of  the 
church  of  the  living  God ;  and  that,  with  the 
divine  blessing,  it  may  lead  him  to  repentance. 

III.  When  the  judicatory  has  resolved  to 
pass  sentence,  suspending  a  member  from 
church  privileges,  the  moderator  shall  address 
hhn  to  the  following  purpose  : 

'•  Whereas  you  are  guilty  [by  your  own  con- 
•'  fession,  or  convicted  by  sufficient  proof,  as  the 
^^  case  may  be]  of  the  sin  of  [here  mention  the 
"  particular  ofience]  we  declare  you  suspended 
"  from  the  sacraments  of  the  church,  till  you 
"give  satisfactory  evidence  of  the  sincerity  of 
"your  repentance."  To  this  shall  be  added 
such  advice,  admonition,  or  rebuke,  as  may 
be  judged  necessary;  and  the  whole  shall  be 
concluded  by  prayer  to  almighty  God,  that  he 
would  follow  this  act  of  discipline  with  his 
blessing.  We  judge  it  prudent,  in  general, 
that  such  censures  be  inflicted  in  the  presence 
of  the  judicatory  only;  but,  if  any  church 
think  it  expedient  to  rebuke  the  offender  pub- 
licly, this  solemn  suspension  from  the  sacra- 
ments may  be  in  the  presence  of  the  congre- 
gation. 


DIRECTORY    FOR    WORSHIP.  507 

IV.  After  any  person  hath  been  thus  sus- 
pended from  the  sacraments,  it  is  proper  that 
the  minister,  and  elders,  and  other  Christians, 
should  frequently  converse  with  him,  as  well 
as  pray  for  him  in  private,  that  it  would  please 
God  to  give  him  repentance.  And  it  may  be 
requisite,  likewise,  particularly  on  days  pre- 
paratory to  the  dispensing  of  the  Lord's  sup- 
per, that  the  prayers  of  the  church  be  offered 
up  for  those  unhappy  persons  who,  by  their 
wickedness,  have  shut  themselves  out  from 
this  holy  communion. 

V.  When  the  judicatory  shall  be  satisfied  as 
to  the  reality  of  the  repentance  of  any  offender, 
he  shall  be  admitted  to  profess  his  repentance ; 
and  be  restored  to  the  privileges  of  the  church. 
Which  restoration  shall  be  declared  to  the  peni- 
tent in  the  presence  of  the  session,  or  of  the 
congregation,  and  followed  with  prayer  and 
thanksgiving. 

VI.  When  any  offender  has  been  adjudged  to 
be  cut  off  from  the  communion  of  the  church, 
it  is  proper  that  the  sentence  be  publicly  pro- 
nounced against  him. 

VII.  The  design  of  excommunication  is,  to 
operate  upon  the  offender  as  a  means  of  re- 
claiming him ;  to  deliver  the  church  from  the 
scandal  of  his  offence ;  and  to  inspire  all  with 
fear,  by  the  example  of  his  punishment. 

The  minister  shall  give  the  church  or  con- 
gregation a  short  narrative  of  the  several  steps 
which  have  been  taken  with  respect  to  their 
offending  brother,  and  inform  them,  that  it  has 
been  found  necessary  to  cut  him  off  from  the 


508  DIRECTORY    FOR    WORSHIP. 

communion  :  and  shall  in  the  presence  of  the 
church  or  congregation  pronounce  this  sen- 
tence, in  the  following  or  like  form  :  viz. 

He  shall  begin  by  showing  the  authority  of 
the  church  to  cast  out  imworthy  members,  from 
Matt,  xviii.  15,  16,  17,  IS;  1  Cor.  v.  1,  2,  3,  4, 
5 ;  and  shall  briefly  explain  the  nature,  use, 
and  consequences  of  this  censure  ;  warning  the 
people  to  avoid  all  unnecessary  intercourse  with 
him  who  is  cast  out. 

Then  he  shall  say, 

"Whereas  A.  B.  hath  been,  by  sufficient 
"  proof,  convicted  of,  [here  insert  the  sin]  and 
"after  much  admonition  and  prayer,  obsti- 
"nately  refuseth  to  hear  the  church,  and  hath 
"manifested  no  evidence  of  repentance ;  there- 
"  fore,  in  the  name,  and  by  the  authority  of  the 
"  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  I  pronounce  him  to  be  ex- 
"  eluded  from  the  communion  of  the  church.'^ 

After  which,  prayer  shall  be  made  that  the 
blessing  of  God  may  follow  his  ordinance,  for 
the  conviction  and  reformation  of  the  excom- 
municated person,  and  for  the  establishment 
of  all  true  believers. 

VIII.  When  one  who  hath  been  excommu- 
nicated shall  be  so  aff'ected  with  his  state  as  to 
be  brought  to  repentance,  and  to  desire  to  be 
re-admitted  to  the  privileges  of  the  church;  the 
session,  having  obtained  sufficient  evidence  of 
his  sincere  penitence,  shall,  with  the  advice  and 
concurrence  of  the  presbytery,  restore  him.  In 
order  to  which,  the  minister  shall,  on  two 
Lord^s  days  previous  thereto,  inform  the  con- 
gregation of  the  measures  which  have  beeu 


DIRECTORY    FOR    WORSHIP.  509 

taken  with  the  excommunicated  person,  and 
of  the  resolution  of  the  session  to  receive  him 
again  to  the  communion  of  the  church. 

On  the  day  appointed  for  his  restoratio!), 
when  the  other  parts  of  divine  service  arc 
ended,  before  pronouncing  the  blessing,  the 
minister  shall  call  upon  the  excommunicated 
person,  and  propose  to  him,  in  the  presence  of 
the  congregation,  the  following  questions  : 

"  Do  you,  from  a  deep  sense  of  your  great 
"  wickedness,  freely  confess  your  sin,  in  thus 
*'  rebelling  against  God,  and  in  refusing  to  hear 
'■'•  his  church,  and  do  you  acknowledge  that  you 
•'have  been  in  justice  and  mercy  cut  ofl"  from 
"  the  communion  of  the  saints  ?  Answer^  I  do. 
"Do  you  now  voluntarily  profess  your  sincere 
"  repentance  and  deep  contrition,  ifor  your  sin 
•'and  obstinacy:  and  do  you  humbly  ask  the 
•'forgiveness  ofGod,and  of  his  church?  Answer, 
"  I  do.  Do  you  sincerely  promise,  through  di- 
"vine  grace,  to  live  in  all  humbleness  of  mind 
"  and  circumspection ;  and  to  endeavour  to 
•'adorn  the  doctrine  of  God  our  Saviour,  by 
"having  your  conversation  as  becometh  the 
"  gospel  ?  Answer,  I  do.^^ 

Here  the  minister  shall  give  the  penitent  a 
suitable  exhortation,  addressing  him  in  the 
bowels  of  brotherly  love,  encouraging  and  com- 
forting him.  Then  he  shall  pronounce  the  sen- 
tence of  restoration,  in  the  following  words  ; 

"  Whereas  you,  A.  B.,  have  been  shut  out 

"  from  the  communion  of  the  faithful,  but  have 

"  now  manifested  such  repentance  as  satisfies 

"  the  church :  In  the  name  of  the  Lord  Jesus 

43* 


510  DIRECTORY    FOR    WORSHIP. 

"Christ,  and  by  his  authority,  I  declare  you 
"  absolved  from  the  sentence  of  excommunica 
"  tion  formerly  denounced  against  you ;  and  I 
"do  receive  you  into  the  communion  of  the 
"  church,  that  you  may  be  a  partaker  of  all  the 
"benefits  of  the  Lord  Jesus,  to  your  eternal 
"  salvation." 

The  whole  shall  be  concluded  with  prayer, 
and  the  people  dismissed  with  the  usual  bless- 
ing. 


CHAPTER  XI. 

OF    THE    SOLEMNIZATION    OF    MARRIAGE. 

I.  Marriage  is  not  a  sacrament;  nor  pecu- 
liar to  the  church  of  Christ.  It  is  proper  that 
every  commonwealth,  for  the  good  of  society, 
make  laws  to  regulate  marriage ;  which  all 
citizens  are  bound  to  obey. 

II.  Christians  ought  to  marry  in  the  Lord : 
therefore  it  is  fit  that  their  marriage  be  solem- 
nized by  a  lawful  minister;  that  special  instruc- 
tion may  be  given  them,  and  suitable  prayers 
made,  when  they  enter  into  this  relation. 

III.  Marriage  is  to  be  between  one  man  and 
one  woman  only:  and  they  are  not  to  be  within 
the  degrees  of  consanguinity  or  affinity  prohi- 
bited by  the  word  of  God. 

TV.  The  parties  ought  to  be  of  such  years 
of  discretion  as  to  be  capable  of  making  their 
own  choice :  and  if  they  be  under  age,  or  live 
with  their  parents,  the  consent  of  the  parents 
or  others,  under  whose  care  they  are,  ought  to 


DIRECTORY    FOR    WORSHIP.  511 

ne  previously  obtained,  and  well  certified  to 
the  minister,  before  he  proceeds  to  solemnize 
the  marriage. 

V.  Parents  ought  neither  to  compel  their 
children  to  marry  contrary  to  their  inclina- 
tions, nor  deny  their  consent  without  just  and 
important  reasons. 

VI.  Marriage  is  of  a  public  nature.  The 
welfare  of  civil  society,  the  happiness  of  families, 
and  the  credit  of  religion,  are  deeply  interested 
in  it.  Therefore  the  purpose  of  marriage  ought 
to  be  sufficiently  published  a  proper  time  pre- 
viously to  the  solemnization  of  it.  It  is  enjoined 
on  all  ministers  to  be  careful  that,  in  this  mat- 
ter, they  neither  transgress  the  laws  of  God, 
nor  the  laws  of  the  community:  and  that  they 
may  not  destroy  the  peace  and  comfort  of 
families,  they  must  be  properly  certified  with 
respect  to  the  parties  applying  to  them,  that  no 
just  objections  lie  against  their  marriage. 

VII.  Marriage  must  always  be  performed 
before  a  competent  number  of  witnesses ;  and 
at  any  time,  except  on  a  day  of  public  humilia- 
tion. And  we  advise  that  it  be  not  on  the 
Lord's  day.  And  the  minister  is  to  give  a  cer- 
tificate of  the  marriage  when  required. 

VIII.  When  the  parties  present  themselves 
for  marriage,  the  minister  is  to  desire,  if  there 
is  any  person  present  who  knows  any  lawful 
reason  why  these  persons  may  not  be  joined 
together  in  the  marriage  relation,  that  they  will 
now  make  it  known  or  ever  after  hold  their 
peace. 

No  objections  being  made,  he  is  then  sever- 


512  DIRECTORY    FOR    WORSHIP. 

ally  to  address  himself  to  the  parties  to  be  mar- 
ried, in  the  following  or  like  words : 

"  You,  the  man,  declare  in  the  presence  of 
"  God,  that  you  do  not  know  any  reason  by 
^'  precontract  or  otherwise,  why  you  may  not 
^'lawfully  marry  this  woman." 

Upon  his  declaring  he  does  not,  the  minister 
shall  address  himself  to  the  bride,  in  the  same 
or  similar  terms : 

"  You,  the  woman,  declare  in  the  presence 
"of  God,  that  you  do  not  know  any  reason,  by 
"  precontract  or  otherwise,  why  you  may  not 
"  lawfully  marry  this  man.'^ 

Upon  her  declaring  she  does  not,  he  is  to 
begin  with  prayer,  for  the  presence  and  bless- 
ing of  God. 

The  minister  shall  then  proceed  to  give  them 
some  instruction  from  the  Scriptures,  respecting 
the  institution  and  duties  of  this  state,  showing, 

"  That  God  hath  instituted  marriage  for  the 
•^  comfort  and  happiness  of  mankind,  in  declar- 
"  ing  a  man  shall  forsake  his  father  and  mother, 
"  and  cleave  unto  his  wife  ;  and  that  marriage 
"  is  honourable  in  all ;  that  he  hath  appointed 
"various  duties,  which  are  incumbent  upon 
"  those  who  enter  into  this  relation ;  such  as,  a 
"  high  esteem  and  mutual  love  for  one  another ; 
"bearing  with  each  other's  infirmities  and 
"  weaknesses,  to  which  human  nature  is  sub- 
"ject  in  its  present  lapsed  state;  to  encourage 
"  each  other  under  the  various  ills  of  life ;  to 
"  comfort  one  another  in  sickness  ;  in  honesty 
"  and  industry  to  provide  for  each  other's  tem- 
"  poral  support ;  to  pray  for  and  encourage  one 


DIRECTORY    FOR    WORSHIP.  513 

"  another  in  the  things  which  pertain  to  God, 
"  and  to  their  immortal  souls ;  and  to  Uve  to- 
"  gether  as  the  heirs  of  the  grace  of  Hfe.'^ 

Then  the  minister  shall  cause  the  bridegroom 
and  bride  to  join  their  hands,  and  shall  pro- 
nounce the  marriage  covenant,  first  to  the  man, 
in  these  words  : 

"You  take  this  woman,  whom  you  hold 
"  by  the  hand,  to  be  your  lawful  and  married 
"  wife  ;  and  you  promise,  and  covenant,  in  the 
"  presence  of  God  and  these  witnesses,  that  you 
"  will  be  unto  her  a  loving  and  faithful  hus- 
"  band,  until  you  shall  be  separated  by  death." 

The  bridegroom  shall  express  his  consent, 
by  saying,  "  Yes,  I  do." 

Then  the  minister  shall  address  himself  to 
the  woman,  in  these  words  : 

"  You  take  this  man,  whom  you  hold  by  the 
"  hand,  to  be  your  lawful  and  married  husband ; 
"  and  you  promise,  and  covenant  in  the  pre- 
"  sence  of  God  and  these  witnesses,  that  you 
"  will  be  unto  him  a  loving,  faithful,  and  obe- 
"dient  wife  until  you  shall  be  separated  by 
"death." 

The  bride  shall  express  her  consent,  by  say- 
ing, "  Yes,  I  do." 

Then  the  minister  is  to  say, 

"  I  pronounce  you  husband  and  wife,  accord- 
"ing  to  the  ordinance  of  God;  whom  there- 
"  fore  God  hath  joined  together  let  no  man  put 
"asunder." 

After  this  the  minister  may  exhort  them  in 
a  few  words,  to  the  mutual  discharge  of  their 
duty. 


514  DIRECTORY    FOR    WORSHIP. 

Then  let  him  conckide  with  prayer  suitable 
to  the  occasion. 

Let  the  minister  keep  a  proper  register  for 
the  names  of  all  persons  whom  he  marries,  and 
of  the  time  of  their  marriage,  for  the  perusal 
of  all  whom  it  may  concern. 


CHAPTER  XII. 

OF    THE    VISITATION    OF    THE    SICK. 

I.  When  persons  are  sick,  it  is  their  duty, 
before  their  strength  and  understanding  fail 
them,  to  send  for  their  minister,  and  to  make 
known  to  him,  with  prudence,  their  spiritual 
state;  or  to  consult  him  on  the  concerns  of 
their  precious  souls.  And  it  is  his  duty  to  visit 
them,  at  their  request,  and  to  apply  himself, 
with  all  tenderness  and  love,  to  administer  spi- 
ritual good  to  their  immortal  souls. 

II.  He  shall  instruct  the  sick  out  of  the  Scrip- 
tures, that  diseases  arise  not  out  of  the  ground, 
nor  do  they  come  by  chance;  but  that  they  are 
directed  and  sent  by  a  wise  and  holy  God, 
either  for  correction  of  sin,  for  the  trial  of 
grace,  for  improvement  in  religion,  or  for  other 
important  ends :  and  that  they  shall  work  to- 
gether for  good  to  all  those  who  make  a  wise 
improvement  of  God's  visitation,  neither  de- 
spising his  chastening  hand,  nor  fainting  under 
his  rebukes. 

III.  If  the  minister  finds  the  sick  person  to 
be  grossly  ignorant,  he  shall  instruct  him  in 


DIRECTORY    FOR    WORSHIP.  515 

the  nature  of  repentance  and  faith,  and  the 
way  of  acceptance  with  God,  through  the  me- 
diation and  atonement  of  Jesus  Christ. 

IV.  He  shall  exhort  the  sick  to  examine 
himself,  to  search  his  heart,  and  try  his  former 
ways,  by  the  word  of  God;  and  shall  assist 
him,  by  mentioning  some  of  the  obvious  marks 
and  evidences  of  sincere  piety. 

V.  If  the  sick  shall  signify  any  scruple, 
doubt,  or  temptation,  under  which  lie  labours, 
the  minister  must  endeavour  to  resolve  his 
doubts,  and  administer  instruction  and  direc- 
tion, as  the  case  may  seem  to  require. 

VI.  If  the  sick  appear  to  be  a  stupid,  thought- 
less, and  hardened  sinner,  he  shall  endeavour 
to  awaken  his  mind;  to  arouse  his  conscience; 
to  convince  him  of  the  evil  and  danger  of  sin ; 
of  the  curse  of  the  law,  and  the  wrath  of  God 
due  to  sinners ;  to  bring  him  to  an  humble  and 
penitential  sense  of  his  iniquities;  and  to  state 
before  him  the  fulness  of  the  grace  and  mercy 
of  God,  in  and  through  the  glorious  Redeemer; 
the  absolute  necessity  of  faith  and  repentance, 
in  order  to  his  being  interested  in  the  favour 
of  God,  or  his  obtaining  everlasting  happiness. 

VII.  If  the  sick  person  shall  appear  to  have 
knowledge,  to  be  of  a  tender  conscience,  and  to 
have  been  endeavouring  to  serve  God  in  up- 
rightness, though  not  whhout  many  failings 
and  sinful  infirmities;  or  if  his  spirit  be  broken 
with  a  sense  of  sin,  or  through  apprehensions 
of  the  want  of  the  divine  favour ;  then  it  will 
be  proper  to  administer  consolation  and  encou- 
ragement to  him,  by  setting  before  him  the  free- 


516  DIRECTORY    FOR    WORSHIP. 

ness  and  riches  of  the  grace  of  God,  the  all- 
sufficiency  of  the  righteousness  of  Christ,  and 
the  supporting  promises  of  the  gospel. 

VIII.  The  minister  must  endeavour  to  guard 
the  sick  person  against  ill-grounded  persuasions 
of  the  mercy  of  God,  without  a  vital  union  to 
Christ ;  and  against  unreasonable  fears  of  death, 
and  desponding  discouragements ;  against  pre- 
sumption upon  his  own  goodness  and  merit, 
upon  the  one  hand,  and  against  despair  of  the 
mercy  and  grace  of  God  in  Jesus  Christ,  on  the 
other. 

IX.  In  one  word,  it  is  the  minister's  duty  to 
administer  to  the  sick  person  instruction,  con- 
viction, support,  consolation,  or  encouragement, 
as  his  case  may  seem  to  require. 

At  a  proper  time,  when  he  is  most  com- 
posed, the  minister  shall  pray  Avith  and  for 
him. 

X.  Lastly,  the  minister  may  improve  the 
present  occasion  to  exhort  those  about  the 
sick,  to  consider  their  mortality ;  to  turn  to 
the  Lord  and  make  their  peace  with  him ;  in 
health  to  prepare  for  sickness  death,  and  judg* 
ment. 


CHAPTER  XIII. 

OP  THE  BURIAL  OP  THE  DEAD. 

I.  When  any  person  departs  this  life,  let  the 
corpse  be  taken  care  of  in  a  decent  manner ; 
and  be  kept  a  proper  and  sufficient  time  before 
interment. 


DIRECTORY    FOR    WORSHIP.  517 

II.  When  the  season  for  the  funeral  comes, 
let  the  dead  body  be  decently  attended  to  the 
grave,  and  interred.  During  such  solemn  oc- 
casions, let  all  who  attend  conduct  themselves 
with  becoming  gravity;  and  apply  themselves 
to  serious  meditation  or  discourse :  and  the 
minister,  if  present,  may  exhort  them  to  con- 
sider the  frailty  of  life,  and  the  importance  of 
being  prepared  for  death  and  eternity. 


CHAPTER  XIV. 

OF  FASTING,  AND  OP  THE  OBSERVATION  OP  THE 
DAYS  OP  THANKSGIVING. 

I.  There  is  no  day  under  the  gospel  com- 
manded to  be  kept  holy,  except  the  Lord's 
day,  which  is  the  Christian  Sabbath. 

II.  Nevertheless,  to  observe  days  of  fasting 
and  thanksgiving,  as  the  extraordinary  dispen- 
sations of  divine  providence  may  direct,  we 
judge  both  scriptural  and  rational. 

III.  Fasts  and  thanksgivings  may  be  ob- 
served by  individual  Christians;  or  families, 
in  private ;  by  particular  congregations ;  by  a 
number  of  congregations  contiguous  to  each 
other ;  by  the  congregations  under  the  care  of 
a  presbytery,  or  of  a  synod  ;  or  by  all  the  con 
gregations  of  our  church. 

IV.  It  must  be  left  to  the  judgment  and  dis- 
cretion of  every  Christian  and  family  to  deter- 
mine when  it  is  proper  to  observe  a  private 
fast  or  thanksgiving;  and  to  the  church-ses- 

44 


518  DIRECTORY    FOR    WORSHIP. 

sions  to  determine  for  particular  congregations, 
and  to  the  presbyteries  or  synods  to  determine 
for  larger  districts.  When  it  is  deemed  expe- 
dient that  a  fast  or  thanksgiving  should  be 
general,  the  call  for  them  must  be  judged  of 
by  the  synod  or  General  Assembly.  And  if 
at  any  time  the  civil  power  should  think  it 
proper  to  appoint  a  fast  or  thanksgiving,  it  is 
the  duty  of  the  ministers  and  people  of  our 
communion,  as  we  live  under  a  Christian  gov- 
ernment, to  pay  all  due  respect  to  the  same. 

V.  Public  notice  is  to  be  given  a  convenient 
time  before  the  day  of  fasting  or  thanksgiving 
comes,  that  persons  may  so  order  their  tempo- 
ral affairs,  that  they  may  properly  attend  to 
the  duties  thereof 

VI.  There  shall  be  public  worship  upon  all 
such  days :  and  let  the  prayers,  psalms,  por- 
tions of  Scripture  to  be  read,  and  sermons,  be 
all  in  a  special  manner  adapted  to  the  occasion. 

VII.  On  fast  days,  let  the  minister  point  out 
the  authority  and  providences  calling  to  the 
observation  thereof;  and  let  him  spend  a  more 
than  usual  portion  of  time  In  solemn  prayer, 
particular  confession  of  shi,  especially  of  the 
sins  of  the  day  and  place,  with  their  aggrava- 
tions, which  have  brought  down  the  judgments 
of  heaven.  And  let  the  whole  day  be  spent 
in  deep  humiliation  and  mourning  before  God. 

VIII.  On  days  of  thanksgiving,  he  is  to  give 
the  like  information  respecting  the  authority 
and  providences  which  call  to  the  observance 
of  them ;  and  to  spend  a  more  than  usual  part 
of  the  tin>e  in  th^  S^^^'^S  °^  thanks,  agreeably 


DIRECTORY    FOR    WORSHIP.  519 

to  the  occasion,  and  in  singing  psalms  or  hymns 
of  praise. 

It  is  the  duty  of  people  on  these  days  to 
rejoice  with  holy  gladness  of  heart;  but  let 
trembling  be  so  joined  with  our  mirth,  that  no 
excess  or  unbecoming  levity  be  indulged. 


CHAPTER  XV. 

THE    DIRECTORY    FOR    SECRET    AND    FAMILY 
WORSHIP. 

I.  Besides  the  public  worship  in  congre- 
gations, it  is  the  indispensable  duty  of  each 
person,  alone,  in  secret ;  and  of  every  family, 
by  itself,  in  private,  to  pray  to,  and  worship 
God. 

II.  Secret  worship  is  most  plainly  enjoined 
by  our  Lord.  In  this  duty  every  one,  apart  by 
himself,  is  to  spend  some  time  in  prayer,  read- 
ing the  Scriptures,  holy  meditation,  and  serious 
self-examination.  The  many  advantages  arising 
from  a  conscientious  discharge  of  these  duties, 
are  best  known  to  those  who  are  found  in  the 
faithful  discharge  of  them. 

III.  Family  worship,  which  ought  to  be  per- 
formed by  every  family,  ordinarily  morning  and 
evening,  consists  in  prayer,  reading  the  Scrip- 
tures, and  singing  praises. 

IV.  The  head  of  the  family,  who  is  to  lead 
in  this  service,  ought  to  be  careful  that  all  the 
members  of  his  household  duly  attend;  and 
that  none  withdraw  themselves  unnecessarily 


620  UIRECTORY    FOR    WORSHIP. 

from  any  part  of  family  worship ;  and  that  all 
refrain  from  their  common  business  while  the 
Scriptures  are  read,  and  gravely  attend  to  the 
same,  no  less  than  when  prayer  or  praise  is 
offered  up. 

V.  Let  the  heads  of  families  be  careful  to 
instruct  their  children  and  servants  in  the  prin- 
ciples of  religion.  Every  proper  opportunity 
ought  to  be  embraced  for  such  instruction.  But 
we  are  of  opinion,  that  the  Sabbath  evenings, 
after  public  worship,  should  be  sacredly  pre- 
served for  this  purpose.  Therefore  we  highly 
disapprove  of  paying  unnecessary  private  visits 
on  the  Lord's  day;  admitting  strangers  into 
the  families,  except  when  necessity  or  charity 
requires  it ;  or  any  other  practices,  whatever 
plausible  pretences  may  be  offered  in  their 
favour,  if  they  interfere  with  the  above  im- 
portant and  necessary  duty. 


APPENDIX. 


GENERAL  RULES  FOR  JUDICATORIES.* 

1.  The  moderator  shall  take  the  chair  pre- 
cisely at  the  hour  to  which  the  judicatory  stands 
adjourned;  shall  immediately  call  the  members 
to  order;  and,  on  the  appearance  of  a  quorum, 
shall  open  the  session  with  prayer. 

2.  If  a  quorum  be  assembled  at  the  hour 
appointed,  and  the  moderator  be  absent,  the 
last  moderator  present  shall  be  requested  to 
take  his  place  without  delay, 

3.  If  a  quorum  be  not  assembled  at  the  hour 
appointed,  any  two  members  shall  be  compe- 
tent to  adjourn  from  time  to  time,  that  an 
opportunity  may  be  given  for  a  quorum  to 
assemble. 

4.  After  calFmg  the  roll,  and  marking  the 
absentees,  the  minutes  of  the  last  sitting  shall 
be  read,  and,  if  requisite,  corrected. 

*  The  following  rules,  not  having  been  submitted  to 
the  presbyteries,  make  no  part  of  the  Constitution  of  the 
Presbyterian  Church.  Yet  the  General  Assembly  of 
1821,  considering  uniformity  in  proceedings  in  all  the 
subordinate  judicatories,  as  greatly  conducive  to  order 
and  despatch  of  business,  and  having  revised  and  ap- 
proved these  rules,  recommend  them  to  the  synods,  pres- 
byteries, and  sessions,  as  a  system  of  regulations,  which, 
if  they  think  proper^  may  be  advantageously  adopted  by 
them. 

44*  5-21 


522       GENERAL  RULES  FOR  JUDICATORIES. 

5.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  moderator,  at 
all  times,  to  preserve  order,  and  to  endeavour 
to  conduct  all  business  before  tho  judicatory  to 
a  speedy  and  proper  result. 

6.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  clerk,  as  soon 
as  possible  after  the  commencement  of  the  ses- 
sions of  every  judicatory,  to  form  a  complete 
roll  of  the  members  present,  and  put  the  same 
into  the  hands  of  the  moderator.  And  it  shall 
also  be  the  duty  of  the  clerk,  whenever  any 
additional  members  take  their  seats,  to  add 
their  names,  in  their  proper  places,  to  the  said 
roll. 

7.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  clerk,  imme- 
diately to  file  all  papers,  in  the  order  in  which 
they  have  been  read,  with  proper  endorse- 
ments, and  to  keep  them  in  perfect  order. 

8.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  moderator, 
carefully  to  keep  notes  of  the  several  articles 
of  business  which  may  be  assigned  to  particu- 
kir  days,  and  to  call  them  up  at  the  time  ap- 
pointed. 

9.  The  moderator  may  speak  to  points  of 
order,  in  preference  to  other  members,  rising 
from  his  seat  for  that  purpose  j  and  shall  de- 
cide questions  of  order,  subject  to  an  appeal 
to  the  judicatory  by  any  two  members. 

10.  Business  left  unfinished  at  the  last  sit- 
ting, is  ordinarily  to  be  taken  up  first. 

11.  A  motion  made  must  be  seconded,  and 
afterwards  repeated  by  the  moderator,  or  read 
aloud,  before  it  is  debated ;  and  every  motion 
shall  be  reduced  to  writing,  if  the  moderator 
ar  any  member  require  it. 


GENERAL  RULES  FOR  JUDICATORIES.       523 

12.  Any  member,  who  shall  have  made  a 
motion,  shall  have  liberty  to  withdraw  it  with 
the  consent  of  his  second,  before  any  debate 
has  taken  place  thereon ;  but  not  afterwards, 
without  the  leave  of  the  judicatory. 

13.  Motions  to  lay  on  the  table,  to  take  up 
business,  and  to  adjourn,  and  the  call  for  the 
previous  question,  shall  be  put  without  debate. 
On  questions  of  order,  postponement,  or  com- 
mitment, no  member  shall  speak  more  than 
once.  On  all  other  questions,  each  member 
rnay^speak^  twice,  but  not  oftener,  without  ex- 

^^ess  leave  of  thejiidicatofy." 

^.  _14.-  When  a  question  is  under  debate,'  no  ^ 
motion  shall  be  received,  jiijiless  to  adjourn,  ItoJ 
lay  on  the  table,  to  postpone  indefinitely,  to 
postpone  to  a  day  certain,  to  commit,  or  to 
amend ;  which  several  motions  shall  have  pre- 
cedence in  the  order  in  which  they  are  herein 
arranged ;  and  the  motion  for  adjournment 
shall  always  be  in  order. 

15.  An  amendment  may  be  moved  on  any 
motion,  and  shall  be  decided  before  the  original 
motion. 

16.  If  a  motion  under  debate  contains  seve- 
ral parts,  any  two  members  may  have  it  di- 
vided, and  a  question  taken  on  each  part. 

17.  The  previous  question  shall  be  in  this 
form :  "  Shall  the  main  question  be  now  put  V^ 
and  when  demanded  by  a  majority  of  the  mem- 
bers present,  shall  be  put  without  debate ;  and 
until  it  is  decided,  shall  preclude  all  amend- 
ment and  further  debate  on  the  main  ques 
tion. 


524       GENERAL  RULES  FOR  JUDICATORIES. 

18.  If  the  previous  question  be  decided  in 
the  affirmative,  the  main  question  shall  be  im- 
mediately put  without  debate  ;  if  in  the  nega- 
tive, the  debate  may  proceed. 

1 9.  A  question  shall  not  be  again  called  up, 
or  reconsidered  at  the  same  sessions  of  the 
judicatory  at  which  it  has  been  decided,  unless 
by  the  consent  of  two-thirds  of  the  members 
who  were  present  at  the  decision  ;  and,  unless 
the  motion  to  reconsider  be  made  and  seconded 
by  persons  who  voted  with  the  majority. 

20.  A  subject  which  has  been  indefinitely 
postponed gj^iifa^^  by  the  operation  of  the^pre-\ 

CVIOUS  questionTor  by  a.  (\\x^ot  mofinn  for  \ri^e-J 
jnite  postponement^  shall  not  be  again  called 
up  during  the  sanie  sessions  of  the  judicatory, 
unless  by  the  consent  of  three-fourths  of  the 
members  who  were  present  at  the  decision. 

21.  Every  member,  when  speaking,  shall 
address  himself  to  the  moderator,  and  shall 
treat  his  fellow  members,  and  especially  the 
moderator,  with  decorum  and  respect. 

22.  Without  express  permission,' no  member 
of  a  judicatory,  while  business  is  going  on, 
shall  engage  in  private  conversation;  nor  shall 
members  address  one  another,  nor  any  person 
present,  but  through  the  moderator. 

23.  No  speaker  shall  be  interrupted,  unless 
he  be  out  of  order,  or  for  the  purpose  of  cor- 
recting mistakes  or  misrepresentations. 

24.  It  is  indispensable  that  members  of  ec 
clesiastical  judicatories  maintain  great  gravity 
and  dignity  while  judicially  convened;   that 
they  attend  closely,  in  their  speeches,  to  the 


GENERAL  RULES  FOR  JUDICATORIES.       525 

subject  under  consideration,  and  avoid  prolix 
and  desultory  harangues :  and  when  they  de- 
viate from  the  subject,  it  is  the  privilege  of  any 
member,  and  the  duty  of  the  moderator,  to  call 
them  to  order. 

25.  No  member,  in  the  course  of  debate, 
shall  be  allowed  to  indulge  in  personal  reflec- 
tions. 

26.  If  more  than  one  member  rise  to  speak 
at  the  same  time,  the  member  who  is  most 
distant  from  the  moderator's  chair  shall  speak 
first. 

■^'27.  When  more  than  three  members  of  the 
judicatory  shall  be  standing  at  the  same  time, 
the  moderator  shall  require  all  to  take  their 
seats,  the  person  only  excepted  who  may  be 
speaking. 

28.  If  any  member  act,  in  any  respect,  m  a 
disorderly  manner,  it  shall  be  the  privilege  of 
any  member,  and  the  duty  of  the  moderator, 
to  call  him  to  order. 

29.  If  any  member  consider  himself  as  ag- 
grieved by  a  decision  of  the  moderator,  it  shall 
be  his  privilege  to  appeal  to  the  judicatory; 
and  the  question  on  such  appeal  shall  be  taken 
without  debate. 

30.  Members  ought  not,  without  weighty 
reasons,  to  decline  voting,  as  this  practice 
might  leave  the  decision  of  very  interesting 
questions  to  a  small  proportion  of  the  judica- 
tory. Silent  members,  unless  excused  from 
voting,  must  be  considered  as  acquiescing  with 
the  majority. 

31.  It  is  the  duty  of  the  moderator  to  appoint 


526       GENERAL  RULES  FOR  JUDICATORIES. 

all  committees,  except  in  those  cases  in  which 
the  judicatory  shall  decide  otherwise. 

32.  The  person  first  named  on  any  commit- 
tee, shall  be  considered  as  the  chairman  there- 
of, whose  duty  it  shall  be  to  convene  the  com- 
mittee ;  and,  in  case  of  his  absence,  or  inability 
to  act,  the  second  named  member  shall  take 
his  place,  and  perform  his  duties. 

33.  When  various  motions  are  made  with 
respect  to  the  filling  of  blanks  with  particular 
numbers  or  times,  the  question  shall  always 
be  first  taken  on  the  highest  number,  and  the 
longest  time. 

34.  When  the  moderator  has  commenced 
taking  the  vote,  no  further  debate  or  remark 
shall  be  admitted,  unless  there  has  evidently 
been  a  mistake ;  in  which  case,  the  mistake 
shall  be  rectified,  and  the  moderator  shall  re- 
commence taking  the  vote. 

35.  When  a  vote  is  taken  by  ballot  in  any 
judicatory,  the  moderator  shall  vote  with  the 
other  members ;  but  he  shall  not  vote  in  any 
other  case,  unless  the  judicatory  be  equally 
divided ;  when,  if  he  do  not  choose  to  vote, 
the  question  shall  be  lost. 

36.  The  yeas  and  nays  on  any  question 
shall  not  be  recorded,  unless  it  be  required  by 
one-third  of  the  members  present. 

37.  All  judicatories  have  a  right  to  sit  in 
private,  on  business  which,  in  their  judgment, 
ought  not  to  be  matter  of  public  speculation. 

38.  Besides  the  right  to  sit  judicially  in  pri- 
vate, whenever  they  think  it  right  to  do  so,  all 
judicatories  have  a  right  to  hold  what  are  com- 


GENERAL  RULES  FOR  JUMCATORIES.       527 

monly  called  "  interlocutory  meetings,^^  or  a 
sort  of  committees  of  the  whole  judicatory,  in 
which  members  may  freely  converse  together 
without  the  formalities  which  are  usually  ne- 
cessary in  judicial  proceedings. 

39.  Whenever  a  judicatory  is  about  to  sit  in 
a  judicial  capacity,  it  shall  be  the  duty  of  the 
moderator,  solemnly  to  announce  from  the 
chair,  that  the  body  is  about  to  pass  to  the 
consideration  of  the  business  assigned  for  trial; 
and  to  enjoin  on  the  members  to  recollect  and 
regard  their  high  character,  as  judges  of  a  court 
of  Jesus  Christ,  and  the  solemn  duty  in  which 
they  are  about  to  act. 

40.  In  all  process  before  a  judicatory,  where 
there  is  an  accuser,  or  prosecutor,  it  is  expe- 
dient  that  there  be  a  committee  of  the  judicatory 
appointed,  (provided  the  number  of  members 
be  sufficient  to  admit  af  it  without  inconve- 
nience) who  shall  be  called  the  Judicial  Com- 
mittee ;  and  whose  duty  it  shall  be,  to  digest 
and  arrange  all  the  papers,  and  to  prescribe, 
under  the  direction  of  the  judicatory,  the  whole 
order  of  the  proceedings.  The  members  of  this 
committee  shall  be  entitled,  natwithstanding 
their  performance  of  this  duty,  ta  sit  and  vote 
in  the  cause,  as  members  of  the  judicatory. 

41.  But  in  cases  of  process  on  the  ground  of 
general  rumour,  where  there  is,  of  course,  no 
particular  accuser,  there  may  be  a  committee 
appointed,  (if  convenient)  who  shall  be  called 
the  Committee  of  Prosecution,  and  who  shall 
conduct  the  whole  cause  on  the  part  of  the 
prosecution.     The  members  of  this  committee 


528       GENERAL  RULES  FOR  JUDICATORIES. 

shall  not  be  permitted  to  sit  in  judgment  in  the 
case. 

42.  No  member  shall  retire  from  any  judi- 
catory, without  the  leave  of  the  moderator,  nor 
withdraw  from  it  to  return  home,  without  the 
consent  of  the  judicatory. 

43.  The  moderator  of  every  judicatory,  above 
the  church  session,  in  finally  closing  its  sessions, 
in  addition  to  prayer,  may  cause  to  be  sung  an 
appropriate  psalm  or  hymn,  and  shall  pro- 
nounce the  apostolical  benediction. 


INDEX. 

A. 

Page 

Appeals 476 

Assembly,  general,  of  the , 425 

mode  of  dissolving 427 

B. 

Baptism,  of  the  administration  of 498 

Bishops  or  pastors,  of 408 

election  and  ordination  of 43G 

C. 

Call,  form  of  a 438 

how  subscribed 438 

how  to  prosecute  a 439 

Candidates,  of  licensing 431 

Church,  of  the 405 

censures 505 

of  the  officers  of  the 407 

ordinances  in  a  particular ; . . .  411 

government,  of 413 

Clerks,  of 454 

Commissioners  to  the  general  assembly 452 

Complaints 480 

Congregations,  vacant,  assembling  for  worship 452 

D. 

Deacons,  of 410 

of  electing  and  ordaining 428 

Dead,  of  the  burial  of  the 516 

Discipline,  general  principles  of ; 455 

Dissents 482 

E. 

Elders,  ruling  of 409 

of  electing  and  ordaining 428 

Ejccommunication,  of 506 

F. 

Family  worship,  directory  for 519 

Fasting,  of  the  observation  of  days  of 517 


530  INDEX. 

G. 

Page 

Government,  form  of 401 

preliminary  principles  of 401 

I. 

Instalment 446 

J. 

Judicatories,  church,  the  several  kinds  of 413 

jurisdiction  of 485 

general  rules  for 521 

License,  form  of 435 

Limitation  of  time 486 

Lord's  Day,  of  the  sanctification  of  the 489 

of  the  administration  of  the 500 

M. 

Marriage,  of  the  solemnization  of 510 

Minister,  of  the  translation  of 444 

Missions,  of -  449 

Moderators,  of 450, 463,  521,  526 

their  autliority  and  duty 450 

ministers  perpetual,  of  church  sessions 416 

of  presbyteries,  synods,  and  the  general  as- 
sembly   451 

how  to  be  chosen 451 

O. 

Offences,  private 456 

public 457 

Ordinances  in  a  particular  church 411 

Ordination,  trials  for 440 

questions  proposed  at 441 

mode  of 440,  444 

P. 

Pastoral  charge,  resignation  of  a 448 

Prayer,  of  public 493 

Preaching,  of 496 

Presbytery,  of  the 418 

Process,  forms  of  actual 459 

against  a  bishop  or  minister 464 

Protests,  nature  of 482 

Psalin«,  singing  of «,..  ^ 492 


INDEX.  531 

Q. 

Page 

Questions  of  order 463,  523 

Quorum,  of  a 415,  419,  423,  426 

R, 

References 475 

Removals  of  candidates  and  licentiates 435 

of  a  minister 444 

Resignation  of  a  charge 430,  448 

Revision  of  records 473 

S. 

Sabbath,  of  the 485> 

Sacraments,  to  be  dispensed  o«ly  by  an  ordained  minister  498 

Scriptures,  of  public  reading  of  the 491 

Sealing  ordinances,  of  admission  to 504 

Secret  worship,  directory  for 519 

Session,  the  church 415 

Sick,  the  visitation  of  the 514 

Synod,  organization  of  a 423 

T. 

Testimony,  of  new 483 

Thanksgiving,  of  the  observation  of  days  of 517 

W. 

Witnesses,  of 468 

Worship,  of  religious,  the  directory  for 490 


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